Why 19-0 Matters

I held off writing this week because I wanted to see what would transpire in the NFL on Sunday. New England was going to play in the snow and wind while Miami got to host a terrible Baltimore team. Two perfect season were on the line, with the Patriots going for 14-0 and Miami looking like they would hit 0-14. It was a good news/bad news kind of day sadly. New England won, but so did the Dolphins, ruining the best shot for a team to go 0-16, something we all badly needed to see Miami accomplish.

Sure, call me jealous or bitter because the Dolphins had the "Perfect Season" back in 1972. You know what? I really don't give a crap about that team. I'm sick to death of Don Shulas smug look and shit eating grin when a 13-0 team finally drops one or Mercury Morris and the rest of the team jumping in front of cameras reminding everyone is sight that "We did it first." They keep saying that the 72 season is not their identity and yet players like Nick Buoniconti, Bob Greise and Dick Anderson routinely get together to drink some champagne when the last undefeated team finally loses. When Indianapolis was approaching history several years back every time I turned on a pre-game show there was some 72 Dolphins player trying to hide his smirk when asked if he wants to see another team equal their mark. After the Chargers ended the Colts run it is rumored they were sent a case of Crystal, courtesy some 72 Dolphins teammates.

Hell, just look at what happened today. With the Dolphins just three losses away from achieving perfection in both directions, the 1972 was paraded out to the sidelines just like in 1985. Ah 1985, I always think fondly of that Monday night football game between the Bears and the Dolphins. Mostly because Shula keeps trying to keep up the illusion that it was only a few on the 72 team they brought down for the game to see if Miami could stop Chicago. Shula acts like it was a few buddies sitting on a couch in a luxury box when in reality it was half the frigging team being paraded out onto the sidelines in both an attempt to spark the home team to a win and to stick it in everyones face, yet again, about their "magical run to glory".

Players from the team insist they are not a bunch of bitter old men and would "put another seat on the mountain top" or "let them park next to us" if another team when undefeated, but even that rings false. Just watch any interview after a hot team loses, they're practically celebrating on camera. It's sickening really. Even when they seem sincere, it's always a back-handed comment, reminding that team if they go perfect that the 1972 Dolphins were there first. Last week Dolphins players were openly rooting for the Steelers to end New Englands run, telling anyone who'd listen how badly they wanted Pittsburgh to win.

So is it any surprise how so much of the country has gotten behind the New England Patriots? even hardcore fans who despise the Pats get on the radio, television and the internet and cheer on New England for one reason, they hate the 72 Dolphins. They hate the arrogance, the pompous attitude smug looks. Fans would gladly celebrate the 72 team if the player themselves would give everyone else a chance. Instead they pop the corks, go on television pat themselves on the back and remind the world how important they are. Bad news fellas, the rest of the world doesn't care anymore.