0
0
Minutes after take-off from Tampa Bay’s airport, the entire Washington Commandos football team reached their cruising altitude of 35,000 feet sometime after midnight last night.
Spontaneously they broke into song in unison after their kicker’s field goal attempt doinked the right post and bounced over the goal post with no time left to seal the playoff victory over Tampa Bay – which feels like their first in 30-plus years.“You put your right doink in,
You put your left doink out.
You put your right doink in,
And you shake it all about.”
Roars reverberate through the cabin. Then this:
“Don’t Be Callin’ Us Salamanders, We Are the Washington Commanders.”
Then this: “Sportface, Sportface, Sportface.”
Then this: “Jayden Daniels, he be playin’
Heisman Trophy Winner, I’m just sayin.
Jayden Daniels, he makes guys miss.
Blowin’ DC fans a victory kiss.”
Laughter all through the cabin.
Then their focus turns to Motown where they will meet the Lions next week in the next round of the NFL playoffs.
Tunes crank by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Marvin Gaye, and Diana Ross – all Motown legends.
“All right, all right,” says quarterback Daniels. “The celebrating is great, but it’s time to get focused on Detroit. When we get off this plane, I’m going straight to our practice facility and studying tape of our next opponent with the intensity and all-out commitment Joe Gibbs would when he led this franchise to three Lombardi blings. Time to get serious and stay humble.”
Is this really happening? Are the Redskins good again? Did they really win a playoff game last night? Is Dan Snyder really gone? Is our quarterback this quiet, cerebral, and clutch under pressure?
Feels like an unexpected visit to our homes by our best friend from childhood, and like a girl we like agreeing to go to the prom with you, and like a Door Dash delivery of a Jamocha Almond Fudge Ice Cream Cake from a secret admirer.
Last year this team won four games and lost 13. Awful campaign by any standard. This year they’ve won 13 and lost five. No one anywhere in the world expected this team to turn around this fast on such a grand and impressive scale.
This morning on D.C. city streets – from Pennsylvania Avenue to North Capitol Street to Addison Road – I envision everyone being a little kinder to each other, more patient, smiling and chatting about the game last night, lauding this team that plays like they really care which for so many years they played like they didn’t want to be there. They had losing attitudes and behaviors.
I love the way the defense swarms the ball. No one assumes the guy is tackled by someone else. They all fly around and are hit with force. They don’t quit. It’s easy to root for guys who don’t quit.
Washington, D.C. is alive again. The town is agog. The only thing the city has ever agreed about, the pro football team, is bonding everyone together again after more losing and embarrassment than anyone should endure in a lifetime. Amid 24/7 discord, this team harmonizes.
Surprises like this are what makes living worthwhile. They remind you that despite all kinds of obstacles and frustrations life has joyful moments.
Author Profile
-
Sammy Sportface, a sports blogger, galvanizes, inspires, and amuses The Baby Boomer Brotherhood. And you can learn about his vision and join this group's Facebook page here:
Sammy Sportface Has a Vision -- Check It Out
Sammy Sportface -- The Baby Boomer Brotherhood Blog -- Facebook Page
Latest entries
BonusFebruary 2, 2025You Know You’re Getting Old When…
BonusJanuary 27, 2025Full Day of Yardwork, House Cleaning This Afternoon
BonusJanuary 26, 2025Perplexity Predicts Sportface’s Perplexing Blogs For Skins Super Bowl Berth
BonusJanuary 24, 2025Deluge of D.C. Fellas Flock to Skins Super Bowl Party
