Column, Sort Of, By Eric Christiansen
07 Feb 2008

I normally don’t like writing about the Super Bowl. It is probably the most written-about sporting event in our country, everybody has an opinion, and mine will probably just get lost in the shuffle.
I will not talk about the commercials. I will not talk about the halftime show. I will definitely not talk about Paula Abdul’s new song and her pre-game “performance”.
Never mind, yes I will. All I will say is that the former Laker Girl and choreographer made Britney Spears’ performance at the Video Music Awards look inspired.
I will not talk about the Manning family ruling the football world.
I will not talk about the horrible idea to put House on after the game.
I will not talk about the Patriots and their place in history.
What I will talk about is the greatness of the game, and where it ranks in the history of Super Bowls.
I can’t remember ever being so engrossed in a football game, except one, but I won’t talk about Montana to Clark and “The Catch”, and how a handsome, young, dapper 11 year old’s dreams of a Dallas Cowboys championship were crushed.
Sunday’s game had a great story line. There was a villain, and the leader of the villains in his hoodie.
There was the underdog QB, fighting to get out of the shadow of big brother, and fighting for the hearts of New Yorkers and New Jerseykers every where. (I think he got both.)
There was “The Catch 2”. Enough said.
There was Boston vs. New York, but it wasn’t Sox and Yanks.
I have watched Super Bowls since 1977, and I honestly can’t remember a more exciting game, and a more engrossing storyline heading into the game.
Is it the best Super Bowl ever?
I will not talk about that.
Switching gears, Bob Knight retired.
For some, it is ho hum.
For others, it is a day of mourning.
For me? Not sure.
Bob Knight is one of the greatest coaches of all time. And, he is a jerk.
He is a god in some in the minds of many, and a horse’s behind to many others.
I go back and forth on the issue of Bob Knight, and there is no doubt, Bob Knight is an issue.
From the chair, to the choking, to the head butt, to the whip, to the throwing someone in a trash can, Knight is a reprehensible human being.
But, his players stick with him. They fight for him. They would die for him.
His old school approach worked for years, but does it really work now?
He is able to get away with the things he does because he has always done them. If he were a new, young coach, trying the things he does now, he wouldn’t last a year.
The way he handles the media can be entertaining, but also can be disgusting. But, I’m sure getting the same questions night after night by the same beat writers can get old.
But, I’ve heard it said that the way to judge someone’s character is how they treat people they don’t have to treat nicely.
We treat our bosses nicely, because we have to, or we would be in the unemployment line. (By the way, I have the best bosses this side of the Mississippi!!) But, how do we treat the waitress? How do we treat the toilet cleaner?
How does Knight treat those he doesn’t have to treat nicely? What kind of character does he have? You be the judge.
I am not denying his greatness as a coach. As a person, I’m not sure.
But, I won’t talk about it.
Switching gears…a few gripes.
I hate when computer screens are angled. I can’t type facing one way, and having my head looking to my right. And, why are screens always angled to the right, and never the left?
I still don’t like Crocs, but I am learning to respect them a little more.
Is Global Warming real? Does Global Warming make it hotter or colder? I need to do some studying. Is it a fad, like Y2K?
I hate when society gives a goofy name to something like Y2K. Right now, it is “Green”. Are you green? Is your household a green household? Don’t know why, but it drives me crazy. The idea is good, and will help the earth, but the term bugs me.
Irregardless isn’t a word. (See, spell check just told me with a green squiggly line. I guess Irregardless is green.)
Have you seen the ads for Oprah’s new show? It’s some game show where a contestant wins a million dollars, but has to give it away. Just another reason to punch Oprah in the face.
And finally, where are you watching the Pro Bowl? Seriously.