The National Football League is an incredible thing. It brings people together, whether it is huddled around a television or tailgating in the snow outside the stadium. The entertainment value is so high, the intrinsic value so important, that we collectively move past the stories of Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson and Greg Hardy not because their actions weren’t horrifically ugly, but because our society craves the escape football provides.
While we sat and cheered, transfixed and oblivious, we learned all types of things, from the satirical to serious. Here are a few, all wrapped up in a rambling diatribe.
We learned that footballs need to be inflated to a certain PSI level. We also learned the New England Patriots do not care about such things. We learned the Atlanta Falcons need to find louder fans, so they can stop pumping in artificial crowd noise. We learned that the Cleveland Browns enjoying sending text messages more often than a teenage girl during a high school dance.
We learned the Kansas City Chiefs have the loudest fans in the NFL, despite another year without a playoff win. We learned Ndamukong Suh is still the dirtiest player in football. We learned Aaron Rodgers is one tough gunslinger, and the same can now be said for Tony Romo. We learned what it is to watch a legend painfully struggle as Peyton Manning fluttered passes to the turf. We learned, thanks to Chevy, that we are born free.
We learned Roger Goodell is a gutless commissioner who needs to be fired. We learned domestic abuse needs to be spoken about more, and that victims must garner our attention at all times. We learned who Ray Rice can be behind closed elevators doors, and what abuse really looks like through the lens of a hidden camera. We learned Adrian Peterson has no problem beating a child with a tree branch, ignoring the cries of a 3-year-old.
We learned Mike Smith, Rex Ryan and Marc Trestman needed to be fired. We learned that Bruce Arians is the best coach in football without a Super Bowl trophy sitting on his mantle. We learned Bill O’Brien has a bright future, and Jay Gruden does not. We learned J.J. Watt is the best defensive player since Lawrence Taylor.
We learned Tom Brady is the golden boy for a reason. We learned when you have Marshawn Lynch, you always run from the 1-yard line when a championship is at stake. We learned Bill Belichick is a grumpy, crusty individual; but an all-time coach. We learned who Malcolm Butler is and what a young man with drive can become.
We learned, once more, that football is a beautiful game. We learned that despite its off-field issues, it brings many of us back to an important place in our lives. We learned that it brings us joy, excitement and an oasis from our troubles. We learned, most importantly, it can bring people together in both good and bad times.
Now, we can all look forward to learning new lessons in 2015.
