Like many of you, we watched the Super Bowl, and, while I didn't really have an emotional attachment to either team, I was sort of pulling for the Colts. I guess I just wanted Peyton Manning (great quarterback and seemingly really nice guy) to win so all the sports pundits would have something to talk about other than the great cosmic question of why Peyton can't win the big one.
It ended up being a different game than I expected, the Colts' defense and running game seemingly making the difference. Also, I guess at least partly because of the rain, there were more turnovers than one would expect. After the early going when the Bears ran the opening kick-off back for a touchdown and dominated on defense, the Colts' offense took over and dominated in passing, rushing, time of possession and first downs. Yet, until fairly late in the game the Bears were close and I wouldn't have been surprised if they'd scored and taken the lead on a big play. Then Bears' turnovers and the Colts' running game and defense sealed the outcome.
Then came the best part of the game... some of the post-game comments. Considering NFL Football is the most violent/crushing of sports with huge men colliding at full speed for 4 quarters, and considering this is the same league that often showcases the likes of T.O. and others, and considering cash and fancy wheels and "bling" are often the most recognized trappings of players, how cool was it to hear the announcers talk about the soft-spoken coach, Tony Dungy, who never yells and never curses. Then, the first thing the owner did at the trophy ceremony was to thank God for the blessing of having the focus to win. And when they asked Peyton Manning about how he felt winning and being the MVP, he said he was just proud to be part of a team that worked hard with everyone doing their parts. Finally, when they asked Tony Dungy about how he felt about he and Lovie Smith (Bears coach) 
being the first African American coaches to take teams to the Super Bowl and winning the game against his good friend his response was classic, something like, "Well, I'm proud of being the first African American coach to win the Super Bowl; I think the diversity is good for our country. But what Lovie and I feel best about is showing that you can win as Christians... doing things God's way." First time I've ever heard that kind of statement from a head coach of any pro team. And when they interviewed Lovie Smith outside the Bears' locker room, he was a class act as well... something like if the Bears couldn't win, he was glad his friend did. After all that, I decided that everybody won something tonight... and maybe, just maybe enough kids were watching that one day we'll have more Tony Dungys and Lovie Smiths making headlines... and fewer T.O.s
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