A Crime of Passion

Imagine this: North Carolina last year, with a number 1 seed assured, decides to sit Tyler Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington, Ty Lawson, Danny Green; essentially throwing the ACC Championship.

Let's go four years back. St Joseph's, with a number one seed long-since sewn up decides to "lose on purpose" before the NCAA tourney in order to prevent an unlikely injury to Jameer Nelson or Delonte West.

Never happen you say? Of course not, not in college basketball. At least not yet.

Yesterday in Indianapolis, the Colts did precisely that. Leading 15-10 late in the third quarter over the Jets (coincidentally fighting for their playoff lives) decided to pull Peyton Manning and their starters. Never mind that Peyton has not missed a single game in his dozen plus years in the NFL. Apparently the risk of injury was more important that the integrity of the game; more important than a chance at becoming a legend; a chance to become Sports Gods immortal.

Most of you know what happened next. The second and third stringers looked hopeless, and the hope of the perfect season was quickly dashed, 29-15.

Not that the Colts apparently cared.

"Lay Down", I got 'cha Coach... can I stay in the game now??

Every year someone will take home the "ultimate" prize. This year someone will. Next year someone will. The year after that. And, yep, barring a 2012-like cataclysm, someone will again. And again. And again.

Folks, there's a reason Mercury Morris was given 3+ minutes to "rap" on Sportscenter last year. It wasn't because he won a Superbowl. It wasn't because of his hip-hop proclivity (in fact, Biz Markee said "Oh - SNAP - this guy su-ucks."). It was because in 1972 he and his Dolphins did something no other football team has ever done. The perfect season, the thing all football athletes strive for...except of course if you own, manage, or coach the Colts.

It is unlikely that Kentucky, Syracuse or the winner of Texas/Kansas can even approach such a historic feat on the court this season. No one since Indiana in 1975 has. Very, very few have even come close.

But you can bet each one of them, if the opportunity avails, will be trying like hell to be more than champions. They will strive to be what every athlete's coaches implore them passionately to be, what every athlete strives for from the first day he or she puts on his or her uniform...

Their very best.

I have to wonder today, if when the '72 Dolphins pop their traditional bottle of champagne if it; like the Colts since of history, drive and passion; will too taste a little flat.

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