Vikings-Saints 2010 NFC Championship Game
My heart was racing on 3rd down with 19 seconds left in the game. My beloved Vikings were a Ryan Longwell kick away from storming into the Superbowl for the first time in my lifetime. My Vikes were going to pull it off! So many turnovers, and they still had a team good enough to beat the number 1 seeded Saints. Then the whistle blew– a flash of yellow. What? Why? 12 men in the huddle. The resulting 5-yard penalty pushed my team out of field goal range. Then, another turnover. My heart crashed into my stomach and bounced back into my chest. Disbelief. But still hope.
Overtime. An unlucky coin flip, a killer kick return, a drive with many second looks. An opposing team’s winning field goal as straight and true as they come. I watched the kick I was so excited to see with 19 seconds left to go, when my team had the ball, when it would have sent the men in purple running onto the field, arms held high. My heart sank again, and did not resurface. Game over. Season over.
The morning after, I woke up to a man and woman on the radio talking about how Emmett Pearson won’t be able to shave his beard for another year (he won’t shave until the Vikings win the superbowl). Even the state’s weather was in mourning, as school kids were sent home early because of blizzard conditions.
After work I called my dad, and afterwords an old friend from college who is a big Vikes fan. Now I’m feeling better, and I can’t help but think how remarkable a football game can be. About how one game of football can take you through such a range of emotions. And I realized, the loss last night won’t change that. I’ll be right back there the next time, banging on my air conditioning vents when the Vikes score, throwing my hands up in disbelief when they don’t, and gasping for breath when a game-winning field goal is lining up.
Thanks for a great season guys. You were a joy to watch this year. Thanks Brett, for playing like you always wore purple. Have a good rest, and hope to see you again.