Stop the Pity Party for the Saints
I know, I know. I am fully aware that for the next week and a half, the national media is going to play the “Poor, poor New Orleans” card. I get it. That being said, what does that have to do with Indianapolis? I keep hearing that winning the Super Bowl would mean more to the city of New Orleans because of what they have been through with Katrina. BULL CRAP! A Super Bowl to Indy does just as much. Here is why:
-The Colts have all the pressure (self-made, but pressure) on them. By sitting the starters it INSTANTLY became Super Bowl or bust for Indy. The Saints could lose and they will still be a feel good story. If Indy loses, the city views this as a lost season.
-Another Super Bowl win gives a tiny small market in the Midwest 2 in 4 years and talks of “dynasty” can begin without becoming laughable.
-Another Super Bowl win to go with 4 MVP’s makes Peyton Manning hard to argue against when discussing the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time.)
-Colts fans who were bitter about week 16 vs the Jets will be silenced and the majority of the fan base will get amnesia about that loss. WITH a loss, the fans still feel cheated.
Indy needs this game just as bad as New Orleans does. This has NOTHING to do with Katrina, and EVERYTHING to do about football. I hope New Orleans does make a full recovery. A few years ago our radio station did a telethon and raised money for the victims and we personally drove the truck of money and supplies down to New Orleans. I love the city, I love the passion of their fans. However, I don’t want the Super Bowl to become a pity party. Obama has already started it and you know there is more to come.
The best team will win this game and the Indy fans want this just as bad as New Orleans. Perhaps for different reasons, but just as bad. A Colts win justifies everything Polian did and gives Indy a place in NFL history. A Colts win puts #18 atop the lists of the all-time greats. A Colts win caps off an amazing decade as the team with the most total wins. Win or lose, people in New Orleans will still drink on Bourbon Street and party on Mardi Gras. A Colts loss means a long, cold winter and next regular season is just another chance for heartbreak and failure. A Colts loss lumps them in with the Atlanta Braves as the all-time under-achievers. It means a lot for both towns, but I fully expect a media love-fest for the Big Easy all week and next. Sounds familiar doesn’t it. I don’t think the Colts would have it any other way. This team THRIVES on the lack of media attentions. Just ask the Ravens and Jets about that.