My Hands Hurt

Eric was so damn happy when the NY Giants scored their winning touchdown versus the New England Patriots with only thirty-ish seconds left in this year's Superbowl. He was jumping up and down like crazy in his apartment, screaming at the top of his lungs. All I could think was, "Man, I wonder what your neighbors are thinking?" Eric went completely ballistic.

I invited myself over to Eric's place since none of my other friends were hosting a Superbowl party. I forgot that Eric was rooting for the Giants. How could I have forgotten? He's a fan of every professional New York sports team. Yeah, the guy from Montana. I don't know how that logic works.

I went into the game wanting to see the Patriots win - that way, I could say that I've seen an undefeated NFL team in my lifetime. All the old folgies ever talk about is the undefeated Dolphins team from the 70's. I was hoping that, in twenty years, I would be able to talk about the Patriots the same way the oldies talk about the 'fins.

But as the game progressed, I started hoping the Giants would upset the Patriots. Forget my allegience to Tom Brady - the guy who carried my fantasy football team throughout the past NFL season. I found myself rooting for the underdog Giants. I felt like the Russians in Rocky IV. At the start of the movie's final fight, the Russian fans were rooting for their Drago. But, in the end, they ended up cheering for the underdog Balboa. The New York Giants were Rocky and I was a Russian.

I couldn't believe it when New York took a 10-7 lead. Of course, I was hardly suprised when the Patriots regained the lead, 10-14, after the touchdown toss to Randy Moss. What was that celebration of his? Some sort of swimming stroke? Who was he taunting in the crowd?

Eric was on the edge of his seat for the remaining two and a half minutes of the game. The best play of the game was during that final drive for the Giants. Peyton's-little-brother-quarterback broke free of a sure sack and found an open receiver who made the most spectacular catch at the Patriot's 25-yard line. This guy, David Tyree, caught the ball way above his head and there was NO WAY he was gonna pull it down. There were thirteen guys surrounding him, contorting his body, yet he was still able to secure the ball. That was the key play in a drive which paved the way to the winning TD!

That's when Eric started celebrating like crazy! Sure, the Patriots had 35 seconds to comeback (which they were unable to do) - but it didn't matter to Eric. He knew the game was over. I was very happy for him and felt his victory deserved a high five. Actually, scratch that... I wanted to give him a high ten. I gave Eric the signal that, yes, we could celebrate the touchdown with the ceremonial meeting of the hands. The dude went crazy. He gave me three high tens in a row. And they were very hard slaps! And that's why my hands hurt on Superbowl Sunday.