Super Bowl XLIII

Posted by: Shaun Dolence

I thought about posting some sort of introduction about myself for everyone to read, but I figured that would be redundant and most likely boring; everyone on here comes to read about the Seahawks and the NFL, not about the writers. However, I will start by saying how grateful I am to have an opportunity to blog and express my opinions about my favorite sports team on such a widespread network so dedicated to fans around the NFL.

I suppose that there is no time better than now to begin writing, on the eve of the biggest game of the year. I find myself dreading the day, however, because one of the teams is a division rival, and the other broke my heart in 2005. Upon initial consideration, it would be absolutely putrid to see either one of these teams hoist the Lombardi tomorrow evening.

To make life less miserable and the game at least SOMEWHAT enjoyable, I’ve decided to reason with my earlier perception. Instead of drinking myself to a disheartened slumber and ignoring SportsCenter for the next two weeks, I’ve decided to try to have a good time and root for the Steelers to be the victor. Yes, I said it. I want the Pittsburgh Steelers to win Super Bowl XLIII.

So what the hell am I thinking, anyways? A self-proclaimed “die hard” Seahawks fan rooting for the Steelers? Cheering for the team that took part in the atrocity that was Super Bowl XL? Yep, you heard right. And before you close your browser and blow me off as a typical bandwagon fan, promising yourself to never read anything that I write again, let me explain myself. I’ll either persuade you to cheer for them with me, or you’ll think my logic is even more idiotic than after reading the first round.

First of all, the Arizona Cardinals are a team from the NFC West – a bitter division rival, with whom I will never have sympathy for unsuccessful seasons. But besides that, what if the Cardinals LOSE the Super Bowl? I’m here to say that it would almost guarantee that the Seahawks would take back the NFC West crown. Why? Because of the Super Bowl curse – the loser of the Super Bowl hasn’t made it to the playoffs since 2000, except the 2006 Seahawks who, in my opinion, had no business “losing” the Super Bowl in the first place. By theory, if the Cardinals lose to the Steelers (and not the officials) on Sunday, the curse will eliminate their chances next year, and the NFC West will be up for grabs.

So we’re declaring ourselves NFC West champions already in February, and we get to watch a division rival get blown away in the big game. What other motivation could there be? Well, the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks are two of fifteen teams (check my math) who have never won a Super Bowl. As egocentric and bitter as most of my sports reasoning is, that is good enough rationale for me – I want that list to remain as LONG as possible until the Seahawks bring home the Lombardi trophy.

So, I guess I am really going to “pull” for the Steelers. But I’m not going to cry myself to sleep if they lose. What a horrible scenario for the Super Bowl … I think I’m making myself sick. Have fun during the game and be safe, I’ll promise to keep future entries shorter (and easier on the stomach).