Apparently, nightmares can come true.
Sunday's Super Bowl is the worst possible match-up if you're a Jets fan. On the one hand, you have the New England Patriots -- the hated division rival on the threshold of a 19-0 season. And on the other the New York Giants -- the more celebrated cross-town rival making their fourth Super Bowl appearance in my lifetime (and fourth in their history).
You couldn't have handpicked a more troubling championship game.
So, what team should I "root" for? You would think it would be difficult, right? You would think. But, for me, it's not even close. I'm almost loathe to say it, but on Super Sunday I will be rooting for the G-Men for the first time in my life.
There was a time when my hatred for Big Blue burned brightly. The New York/New Jersey area has always been (and will always be) Giant country. There were probably 10 Giant fans for every one Jet fan when I was growing up. My dad and brother are Giants fans. That made for some interesting scenes. Example: Where was I when Ken O'Brien flipped the game-winning touchdown pass to Wesley Walker in '86 to down the Dolphins 51-45 in overtime? Banished to my room and forced to listen on the radio because the Giants-Raiders game had started. I still look at it as a form of child abuse.
Anyway, as time passed the rage dissipated. I realized that I was always going to be the blade of grass in a sea of blue. Eventually the hostility turned to indifference. The Giants have no direct bearing on what happens with the Jets, I reasoned. I still don't like the Giants, but I wouldn't say I hate them.
The Patriots, on the other hand, are a different story.
New England has been a thorn in Gotham Green's side, on and off the field, over the years.
- The Pats handed me my first taste of playoff defeat as a fan in 1985 when they downed the Jets 26-14 in the AFC Wild Card game.
- Bill Belichick left the Jets in the lurch in 2000 when he decided to resign as HC of the NYJ after one day and head up to New England.
- Mo Lewis' hit on quarterback Drew Bledsoe in 2001 ushered in the Tom Brady era.
- The Pats downed the Jets 37-16 in last season's AFC Wild Card game.
- Spygate continues to rear its head.
Just a few of the reasons to despise the Pats if you root for the Green and White. New England is also gunning for their fourth Super Bowl win in the past seven years. How can I root for that? I can't. You know the old saying: the enemy of my enemy is my friend. That seems to be the situation here.
Joe Caporoso has his thoughts and while I disagree with him, he does good stuff over at The Cockpit. Check him out when you get a chance.
I never thought this day would come, but on Sunday I'm rooting for the Giants.
May God have mercy on my soul.
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