Sunday, February 12, 2017

The Agony of Defeat

I hate being wrong.  Especially in this instance.  Destiny was not on the side of the Atlanta Falcons.  Destiny lay on the other side of the ball. 

One might think that the city of Atlanta is used to this.  Maybe even expects it.  We don't.  We always believe our teams will win it all. That's what fans do.  Falcons, Braves, Hawks, Dawgs and Jackets.  We believe in our own laid-back southern way, not like the frozen chosen at Lambeau or the beer-swilling spitters in Philly. 

Atlanta sports fans have had more than their fair share of heartbreak.  Even more so, our athletes.  Had the Falcons put together a second half that mirrored the first or if the Patriots hadn't been, well, the Patriots, Matt Ryan and company would have had a massive parade down Peachtree Street.  

The players who made up the 1996 Braves team know all too well what is going through the minds of the 2016 Falcons. The disappointment, the regrets, the anger, the emptiness.  Terence Moore spoke with John Smoltz days after the Falcon's defeat.  This article is a great read with even better insight from someone who's been there.   

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/215442296/john-smoltz-atlanta-sports-falcons-braves?partnerId=ed-11150349-966827983

Sports mirrors life.  Victories are sweet and defeats haunt us.  It's what we learn from those defeats that makes us better.

4 comments:

  1. Great read as well as the Smoltz piece too Diane...thanks!...- DS

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  2. Thanks DS! Look for one more football post this week and then it's back to baseball. Pitchers and catchers report on Tuesday, position players on Friday!! And it looks like Brandon Phillips will be in the Braves dugout.

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