I was going to write about the latest Atlanta United news:
I was going to write about all of these topics, but I did not want to have to put my own foot in my mouth if I made an incorrect (or ill-informed) statement.
Instead, I will talk about another sports-related topic: Super Bowl 50. Primarily, I want to discuss the Carolina Panthers and their remarkable run to the Super Bowl. As a long time Panthers supporter (who did stray off the path along the way, but eventually found his way back home), I cannot express just how proud I am of this team. From the 15-1 regular season record to its remarkable performances during the NFC Playoffs (minus the second half of the Seattle Seahawks game), the Panthers have proven themselves worth of their own success despite the naysayers and the haters. When the Panthers were still undefeated, the pundits called the Panthers "the worst 14-0 team in NFL history" while singing the praises of the Seahawks, the Arizona Cardinals, and the New England Patriots. In fact, it was not until the Patriots lost its second-straight game that the Panthers claimed the top spot in the ESPN NFL Power Rankings and then after the Panthers fell to the Atlanta Falcons; the Panthers fell behind the Cardinals despite having lost only one game.
And now, even after securing their position in the Super Bowl in dominating fashion, a 49-15 win over the Cardinals, the headlines coming out of Conference Championship weekend are about Peyton Manning and whether or not the Super Bowl will be his last professional game and whether or not he can go out a champion. But, that is okay because the Panthers and members of the Panthers Nation know what we have and we know that we have the ability and the talent to cap off an incredible season with a Super Bowl win. Actually, before I progress, I do want to step back from the notion that the media is ignoring the Panthers completely. I am wrong in making such an assertion because there is one Panthers-related topic that the media relishes in discussing: Cam Newton.
From Newton's on-field celebratory dances to the off-field birth of his first child with his longtime girlfriend, the media loves to criticize Newton in a manner that one would never see towards Manning or Tom Brady. Now, I am not going to defend Newton because it is unnecessary; Newton has defended himself time and time again in a more impactful and tactful manner than I can even imagine. What I will say is this: if an individual can easily seat at his keyboard and attempt to tear down a man with such an incredible zeal for the game and love for his community such as Newton, then there is no convincing that person otherwise because his heart is filled with such vitriol that it is beyond redemption.
In conclusion, I am looking forward to the Super Bowl this year and I look forward to seeing Cam and the Panthers lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy *knocks on wood*. Until next time, DFTBA!
 |
| Source: USA Today Sports Images (?) |
In conclusion, I am looking forward to the Super Bowl this year and I look forward to seeing Cam and the Panthers lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy *knocks on wood*. Until next time, DFTBA!
