February 5, 2015 (Thursday)
I’m a little late in commenting on the last play of the Super Bowl, but after all I’ve heard since Sunday night, I feel like saying something.
I’m sure you know what happened. Seattle was on the one yard line, seconds to go in the game. Instead of a run play employing the skills of one of the greatest running backs in the game, Seattle chose a pass play. The pass was intercepted by New England, who led by 4 points, giving them the win and making them Super Bowl champions.
The Seattle coach has been severely criticized by his choice of plays. Everyone who disagrees with his call seems to think that the Seattle back, being as great as he is, was certain to make it past the goal line.
I watched several great teams this year fail to make a touchdown in almost identical situations, and their runners were known to be great and virtually unstoppable. They were, however, stopped. Some of them used up all their downs and came away empty-handed. So what most of us think was a sure thing was not a sure thing.
Each of the Super Bowl teams Sunday night was capable of winning. It was a hard-fought game. As far as I could see, no one failed to give it his best shot, including the coaches. While some people paid thousands of dollars for a seat in the stadium, I got to see it free, close-up with chances to see each play more than once. I have no complaints.
One thing I have learned as I have grown older is that once a thing is done, it is done. If I said or did things that failed completely or failed to be understood, I think I have finally learned not to beat myself up over those things. Ever hear this poem?:
I know as my life grows older
And my eyes have clearer sight
That under each rank wrong
Somewhere there lies the root of right,
That each sorrow has its purpose,
By the sorrowing oft unguessed,
But as sure as the sun brings the morning,
Whatever is, is best.
Seattle did its best, and it did what it thought was right at the time. There is no one who can prove beyond a doubt that a different play would have worked better.