Wide Right
In the NFL some people wait a lifetime to see their favorite team in a championship game, a few privileged cities get to go regularly and are expected to reach the pinnacle of the game.
I grew up a fan of team that brought me to the super bowl 4 times. I was there, hoping each outcome would be different along with three of my childhood friends who all experienced the Buffalo Bills of the 90's. I remember being next to Jim, he was a 6ft tall former quarterback and he was wearing a child Buffalo Bills helmet. Their was a couple press people who had their cameras on us and made their way to being right in front of our seats while Norwood prepared for his kick.
Our seats had us almost directly behind the goal posts. We knew if the kick made it our pictures would be on newspapers across the country. When he finally kicked the ball I knew what I was going to do and so did Jim, there was no doubt the press was going to enjoy our theatrics we prepared. The kick was hiked, put in position and we watched what seemed like an eternity to determine that the ball was going to miss it's destination only be a few feet right.
The game was over, the press slowly put their cameras down disappointed at the gamble they took. We left the game and never imaged we would be back together three more times at each game with the same outcome. I have confidence in my Buffalo Bills of 2009 and they inspire a town and a people that seems to never give up which you only can appreciate if you have gone to a game.
John Detitta |