21st October 2004, 10:15 PM
I disagree again, and my reasoning is one of the games I mentioned above in comparison, the Immaculate Reception. The hero of that game was Franco Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers, in 1972. At that time, the Steelers were one of the most consistent failures in professional sports. The miraculous last-second touchdown reception in this game allowed for the Steelers to break history in their own small way: It was the team's first-ever postseason victory in 40 years. 32 years later, this game is still considered one of the legendary events in sports history... even though the Steelers were eliminated the next game in the playoffs by the Dolphins. Even though the Steelers didn't capitalize on that miracle fully, it's still part of NFL legend.
Now, the reason why I think you're wrong about who will be remembered is quite simple: History remembers the victors, especially when they overcome great odds. When people remember the greatest comeback in NFL history, they remember the Bills came back from 31 down, before they remember that the Oilers gave up a 31 point advantage. They will remember that Muhammad Ali took his blows and connected at the right time, less than they will remember that George Foreman was suckered by his rope-a-dope and wore himself out. They remember the 1980 US Hockey team upset a hugely-favored Soviet team, not that the hugely-favored Soviet team was outplayed by a vastly-inferior foe. And they will remember that the Red Sox accomplished an unprecendented come-from-behind victory more than they will remember that the Yankees suffered a historic collapse.
The winners write the history books.
Now, the reason why I think you're wrong about who will be remembered is quite simple: History remembers the victors, especially when they overcome great odds. When people remember the greatest comeback in NFL history, they remember the Bills came back from 31 down, before they remember that the Oilers gave up a 31 point advantage. They will remember that Muhammad Ali took his blows and connected at the right time, less than they will remember that George Foreman was suckered by his rope-a-dope and wore himself out. They remember the 1980 US Hockey team upset a hugely-favored Soviet team, not that the hugely-favored Soviet team was outplayed by a vastly-inferior foe. And they will remember that the Red Sox accomplished an unprecendented come-from-behind victory more than they will remember that the Yankees suffered a historic collapse.
The winners write the history books.
YOU CANNOT HIDE FOREVER
WE STAND AT THE DOOR
WE STAND AT THE DOOR