There’s no better time to be a football fan in the U.S. It has been another great season full of joys and disappointments, heroes and losers and the mouth of Rex Ryan. Finally, only two teams remain. This Sunday, at 6:30 p.m., the Green Bay Packers will battle the Pittsburgh Steelers for the coveted Lombardi trophy and a piece of eternal football glory. Here’s a quick recap on both teams.
The Green Bay Packers had a decent season, although, at one point, it had the appearance of becoming monstrous faster than you could say “spoiled cheese.” The team was plagued with injuries including losing starting tight-end, Jermichael Finley, in week 5, starting running back, Ryan Grant, in week 2, and even losing star quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, for a game due to a concussion. However, their stellar defense helped them get through with a 10-6 regular season record. Then, the team, behind memorable performances by Rodgers, went on the road in the playoffs to win three tough games and make it to the Super Bowl in Dallas.
The Steelers’ road to the Super Bowl may have been as tough, if not tougher. Their star QB, Ben Roethlisberger, had to sit out for the team’s first four regular-season games due to an investigation after he was accused of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old woman. Luckily for the Steeler’s, their defense, led by linebacker James Harrison and safety Troy Polamalu, often made it look as if they don’t even need a quarterback. Still, back-up QBs, Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon, filled in nicely in Ben’s absence.
The team bounced back after tough losses to the New England Patriots and the New York Jets, and eventually, beat New York in the AFC Championship game to advance to the Super Bowl.
Both teams are writing intriguing story lines, but in the end, only one will walk away with the hardware. Come Sunday, I will be rooting for the green and yellow cheese-heads of Green Bay and here’s why: Aaron Rodgers. Both teams are tough. Yes, Pittsburgh has the experience, but Green Bay has the more dynamic offense. Pittsburgh might just edge out Green Bay on defense. But Aaron Rodgers, however, is the guy you want to root for.
Aaron Rodgers was drafted by a team that was, at the time, being led by a future hall of famer. He waited his turn, he never complained, and he stuck it out during the heated negotiations between Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers, which held his career in limbo. He was eventually given the starting job and he accepted it with pride and humility. Then, in the midst of doubt from fans who did not know what to expect, and who feared that the team had just committed a grave mistake, Rodgers came out and proved that he was a winner.
Today, just days before the big game, most fans are simply astonished at what Rodgers has done this past season. He has shown maturity, leadership, composure, and most importantly, the attitude of a winner. But can Rodgers deliver when everything is on the line?
It’s understandable that fans whose team did not make it to the big game are disappointed, but honestly, there’s a lot to be thankful for at the stage that’s being set up for this Clash of Titans. In the end, the best team will win. All we can hope for is a good game, good food, great commercials, and that next season comes quick — because at the start of the season every team is undefeated and the dream of Super Bowl glory is, as these two teams have proven, anyone’s for the taking.
