By Ryan Frye
As a writer, I've often found that the more raw emotion you can find that you have about a topic, the better the article will be. But how about if that emotion is that of pure speechlessness?
What can I say? The Atlanta Falcons were up 28-3 over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI near the end of the third quarter. Then it all came crumbling down.
An epic, historic collapse was the icing on the cake of the city of Atlanta's long, tortured sports history. The 17-0 lead the Falcons gave up in the NFC Championship Game four years ago seems like mere child's play in comparison. As a result, Atlanta still only has one lone championship—the 1995 Atlanta Braves—and the Falcons have no Lombardi Trophies to their name.
As a writer, I've often found that the more raw emotion you can find that you have about a topic, the better the article will be. But how about if that emotion is that of pure speechlessness?
What can I say? The Atlanta Falcons were up 28-3 over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI near the end of the third quarter. Then it all came crumbling down.
An epic, historic collapse was the icing on the cake of the city of Atlanta's long, tortured sports history. The 17-0 lead the Falcons gave up in the NFC Championship Game four years ago seems like mere child's play in comparison. As a result, Atlanta still only has one lone championship—the 1995 Atlanta Braves—and the Falcons have no Lombardi Trophies to their name.
The world seems so very cruel. The Patriots have been an absolute dynasty this millennium. Bellichick and Brady captured their fifth rings on Sunday night. This is just one in a collection of many for them. In contrast, it would have been the cherished high in Atlanta Falcons history. Instead, it now stands as the biggest collapse in not only a miserable team's history, but likely in all of sports history. It's hard not to feel robbed when seeing the Patriots celebrate as confetti fell. That should've been the Falcons celebrating.
Many have drawn comparisons to this and last year's presidential election, and that feels pretty apt personally. As both the election and the Super Bowl unfolded, there was this sinking feeling of "Is this really happening?" The Falcons were Hillary Clinton, the Patriots were Donald Trump, winning in ridiculously improbable fashion. It leaves you nothing to do but sit in heartbroken, stunned silence afterwards.
Twice in four months. It's truly a feeling I hope to never experience again, but even if I don't, I'll remember it forever.
The sting will wear away, but the wound will remain. This will even be true for the coaches and players who will be haunted by this loss for the rest of their careers, and even their lives.
On Sunday night, we may have witnessed the greatest game in NFL history. We did witness the first overtime in Super Bowl history. It's one nobody will soon forget. But for a Falcons fan, a more forgettable loss would've been a much easier one to swallow.
Many have drawn comparisons to this and last year's presidential election, and that feels pretty apt personally. As both the election and the Super Bowl unfolded, there was this sinking feeling of "Is this really happening?" The Falcons were Hillary Clinton, the Patriots were Donald Trump, winning in ridiculously improbable fashion. It leaves you nothing to do but sit in heartbroken, stunned silence afterwards.
Twice in four months. It's truly a feeling I hope to never experience again, but even if I don't, I'll remember it forever.
The sting will wear away, but the wound will remain. This will even be true for the coaches and players who will be haunted by this loss for the rest of their careers, and even their lives.
On Sunday night, we may have witnessed the greatest game in NFL history. We did witness the first overtime in Super Bowl history. It's one nobody will soon forget. But for a Falcons fan, a more forgettable loss would've been a much easier one to swallow.
