The Day That Started My Football Life

I've been wanting to start this blog for some time now, but I could never find the right time to get it going. However, now as my beloved New York Giants will be playing in San Francisco for the NFC Championship, I felt compelled to and you'll find out if you decide to read further. I'll probably get a couple reads here and there (thanks, Mom)...but I'm just doing this for me and to get my thoughts out there....OK so anyway:

I can remember it as clear as if it was yesterday. In front of the TV, praying one kick would send my New York Football Giants to their second Super Bowl.

I really had no idea of the implications of what I was about to watch. I didn't know that if Matt Bahr's kick was no good that the Giants wouldn't play another (meaningful) game until the following September. I was unaware of the tumultuous history that my dad grew up with watching that team.

I was sitting on the floor in front of my parents' television in the living room of our house in Danbury, CT. I saw a couple huddles along the Giants sideline of players in prayer circles. Then Bahr struck the ball with his right foot sending it through the uprights with no time remaining on the clock. The Giants were on their way to Super Bowl XXV. My dad lost his mind. I mean really....lost it. So what did I do? The exact same thing. I remember crying my eyes out in tears of joy, not knowing why at the time.

I don't remember anything else from that game. I don't remember the furious physicality of the hits from that took place. I don't remember John Taylor's long 3rd quarter touchdown reception. I don't remember Gary Reasons' long scamper on a fake punt. I don't remember Leonard Marshall nearly ending the great Joe Montana's career with one devastating sack. I don't remember Roger Craig fumbling the football on San Francisco's last possession or Lawrence Taylor's recovery of said fumble. I only remember that one kick and the melee that ensued in my living room.

Had I had known what my dad put up with from that franchise throughout his life would I have celebrated more or remembered more of that game? Had I known what I'd deal with throughout the rest of that decade with the Giants (especially at the QB position -- yes I'm talking to you Dave Brown, Kent Graham, and Danny Kannell), would I have embraced it more? I have no idea, I was six for crying out loud. My main concern at the time was trying to beat Super Mario Bros. 3, let alone emotionally vest into a sport I knew very little about.

Now these two teams are meeting up in the same building at 6:30 ET this coming Sunday with the same prize at stake (oh, and in 1990, the Giants lost a one-possession game earlier that season in San Fran, just like they did this season). I will be emotionally wrapped around every second that ticks off that game clock. For the unfortunate few of you that have watched a playoff game with me, you know how big of a nerve-wracking roller coaster I'm on watching any of my teams in the playoffs....and I wouldn't have it any other way.

For those of you who have not seen the kick, or just want to re-live it, click here.