| Even Ugga is sad on this day (photo courtesy of latimes.com) |
I know what you're saying.
He just named this post like this to get views and clicks.
Believe what you may, but the views and opinions in the beginning of this piece ring true and are shared by many a fan in the state of Georgia this second week of October, 2013.
For those who may have been comatose since the beginning of the month, let me give you a brief synopsis of the tragic sports events that have happened in the Peach State this week.
Sunday Night: The Atlanta Dream, entering their third WNBA Finals in four seasons, were dismantled in Game 1 by the Minnesota Lynx. This would start a downward spiral to a week where fans of Georgia teams must've felt like the Sports Gods were exacting revenge for some egregious act unbeknownst to us.
Monday Night: Possibly the worst day/night in Atlanta Sports history, only rivaled by October 9, 2005, the Falcons and Braves would take turns pulling at our heartstrings. The Braves, down two games to one in their Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, wasted no time falling behind in Game Four. They gave up two solo home runs to Carl Crawford of L.A. to trail 2-0 by the end of the third inning. The Bravos would, however, fight back and eventually take the lead heading into the bottom of the eighth inning.
Meanwhile back in Atlanta, the Falcons found themselves trailing the once dysfunctional New York Jets 27-14 heading into the fourth quarter of their Monday Night tilt. The Falcons, already at an appalling 1-3 record could ill-afford to lose this game. With that in mind, they gathered themselves and nosed ahead of the Jets 28-27 with a little under two minutes left to play. Unfortunately for them and Rise Up Nation, their defense would disappoint as Geno Smith led the Jets on an eight play, 55 yard drive to set themselves up for a game winning field goal.
Kick Good. Game Over. 1-4 is the Falcons new record.
To find some sense of hope, I and many others returned back to the baseball game only to watch the Braves find a way to break our hearts again by giving up a go ahead homer to Juan Uribe in the eighth, essentially shutting the door to any chance of returning home for a decisive Game 5.
What compounded the agony of the loss for Braves fans was the visual of lights out closer Craig Kimbrel ready and waiting in the bullpen to kill any Dodger rally. A managerial mistake by Fredi Gonzalez? Who knows, but he wasn't the only Atlanta head man getting criticized on this horrible night.
Mike Smith of the Falcons made a few questionable decisions (adding to his list) on Monday night. Most notably was electing to try for a touchdown at the end of the first half at the one yard line rather than take the points on a field goal. The decision failed and proved to be the difference as Atlanta ended up losing by two, 30-28
And if these things weren't bad enough, the Hawks lost their preseason opener to the Miami Heat, giving SportsCenter some more ammo to ridicule and belittle our poor Georgia teams.
Just flat out disrespectful, huh?
The rest of the week would prove to be just as disastrous. Falcons wideout Julio Jones would be sidelined for the rest of the 2013 season with a foot injury. Erroneous rumors of future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez being traded because of the Falcons' dwindling title hopes arose. The Dream would go on to lose their third Finals by being swept--for the third time.
And then, if that wasn't enough to send you over the edge, Saturday afternoon occurred.
The Georgia Bulldogs entered Saturday's pivotal game against Missouri ranked number seven in the nation and having a slim, but possible, chance to play for National Championship. Mizzou entered the game undefeated and was even picked by a few prognosticators to upset the Dawgs. With injuries to both of their star running backs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall--a season ender for the latter, Georgia was a depleted team. Missouri took advantage and with that had a 28-13 lead late in the third quarter. the Dawgs, like the Falcons on Monday, fought back to get within striking difference-to no avail. Quarterback Aaron Murray threw two critical interceptions towards the end and that's all she wrote as the boys from GA lose 41-26. With their second loss this season, all hopes for a title are dashed for Georgia.
That's nothing new as they are essentially the fourth team (Braves, Falcons, Dream, Dawgs) in the state of Georgia to have their season end in the span of six days.
Rough ain't it? Enough to make myself consider abstaining from sports until further notice.
But my loyalty to these teams and their quest for a title will have me still there on Sundays as the Falcons play. It will have me there on Saturdays as the Dawgs sick em'. I will still do the chop at a moment's notice. I will still blog about the Hawks and be there come opening night.
Being a sports fan isn't quite like marriage, but the conditions are similar.
In sickness and in health
Til' death do us part
For better of for worse
The last part as in a marriage is the most difficult to abide by, but to say a popular phrase these days "it is what it is". As easy as it is to walk away and give my allegiance to teams in other states and municipalities, I will not and I will continue to be there for the long haul. The question is, will you?
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