I like football; I watch a lot of football. I played it in high school and was only fair at it. But I like it.
Last night, as I watched Penn State and Florida State pummel each other, it didn't really occur to me that behind those helmets and pads and uniforms were a bunch of 20-year olds who played because they loved the game, too. They were much more skilled and athletic than the teams of my era. Bigger, faster, stronger... but still 20-year olds.
So, when it came time for Penn State to win the game at the end of the 4th quarter with a field goal... and the kicker missed... I mentally shook my head and shouted "what's the matter with you?"
Then in the 1st overtime, the Florida State and Penn State kickers both missed field goals.
After the teams both scored touchdowns in the 2nd overtime, Florida State's kicker missed another field goal... it hit the upright bar... which meant that the kickers were a combined 0 for 4 since the last minute of the 4th quarter. Hey, what's the matter with you guys?!
Finally... Penn State got close to the end zone... midway between the sidelines... straight in front of the goal posts... almost an extra point... and the kicker made the field goal.
It was almost like the air went out of a balloon. It was more like relief than victory. After all of those missed opportunities to win, the final made kick was more like "game over" than "victory".
The players seemed too tired to celebrate or cry. The coaches came out and hugged each other and talked patiently with the press. Joe Paterno, the winning coach, smiled and praised everyone; Bobby Bowden, the losing coach, smiled and praised everyone. And then it was over.
20-year olds, thousands of spectators, millions of viewers. Hard to pick the winners from the losers.
