Posted on 12/27/2010 1:23:01 PM PST by Track9
In 1948, the Eagles won an NFL championship at Shibe Park in a raging blizzard, a game that was never forgotten by the 36,309 die-hards who didn't think twice about braving those conditions to watch history in the making. Then there was the "Snow-Plow" game in New England and the Pats' memorable playoff victory over Oakland in a snowstorm years later, and the frigid 1967 Ice Bowl in Green Bay. To paraphrase Frank Capra this Christmas season, for a true football fan it would not have been as wonderful a life had those remarkable games never been born.
That's why the decision by the NFL and the Eagles, with input from the city of Philadelphia, to postpone last night's game because of a snowstorm that isn't really all that (we might get 11 inches in the city - not exactly Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer territory, not even close) is more than downright disappointing.
This is the height of wimpiness, and the girly-men who made this sad decision should be ashamed of themselves. The NFL has been rightfully called the No Fun League for a number of years, but this takes that to a whole embarrassing new level. In fact, let's name names here: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Eagles' owner Jeff Lurie and president Joe Banner, and Mayor Nutter - you are the Wimps Who Stole Christmas from football fans in Philadelphia.
(Excerpt) Read more at philly.com ...
One of my fondest football memories are when the New England Patriots beat the Oakland Raiders in the Snow Bowl (below).
The game was scheduled to begin at 8:30 PM.
The game would not even be ending until midnight.I live in south jersey (atlantic county) andthe worst of the storm did not even hit until about that time.
I know a lot of folks are ticked off, but I think it was the right call.
One thing that no one thinks about is that road crews have to do their jobs, and they can’t with a bunch of football fans clogging up the roads and highways.
I love football as much as the next person, but the game is not so important to make clearing roads impossible and putting one’s life in danger.
In fact, the players seem to prefer snow games for the very reason the other players are not able to move quite as fast and if they are knocked down, they are cushioned by the blanket of snow. The fans also enjoy the games because there an an added element of unpredictability to them. Balls are more prone to come loose and turnovers play a larger role in determining the outcome of the game. Thus, the more disciplined team with a solid running game and good ball control will usually end up prevailing.
Also, are you aware of the fact that during snow games, when they go to commercial, the ground crews are out there sweeping excess snow off the field? So it is impossible for conditions to exist where players will be slogging through 2 feet of snow.
That’s probably the truth. It’s the lawyers/insurance co’s fault. I doubt the players would be caught dead making excuses. Anyway, I guess it’s just a game.. and we live in a different world these days.. but I hope not forever.
I remember the Grill 23. In high school, early 80’s, I used to valet for them. That was a good job. Larry Bird had a light blue Mercedes.
Consider that Philadelphia has a metropolitan area of over six million people. Contending with maybe thirty thousand cars (if that) headed to a football game on a Sunday night is a walk in the park for the road crews who are more used to dealing with over a million vehicles at rush hour.
On top of that, when the game is in progress, the road crews have several hours with practically empty roads to do their work so the departing fans will have much better road conditions to contend with than rush-hour commuters during a Friday afternoon snowstorm.
C'mon, we aren't talking storm of the century here guys. This was nothing more than a routine snowstorm that we deal with at least several times a year here in the Northeast.
My wife and I bundled up and walked over to the gin mill to watch the Patriots beat the Bills. It was 25F, an inch a hour of snow and horizontally wind. It was a blizzard with no salt on the roads and no snow plows.
It was beyond insane to get into a car unless you were going to an emergency room.
And then it froze over.
Most ticket holders cheered the decision.
Why not? It'd be entertaining, at least.
From Yahoo .....
Governor Ed Rendell joined countless fans upset about the game’s move to Tuesday when he told FOX News:
“It’s an absolute joke. I was looking forward to this. It would have been a real experience. This is what football is all about. We’re becoming a nation of wussies.”
I saw that. With fast Eddy he probably had someone facebook it first to test sentiment.. isn’t that what Dimocrats and Journalisters do.. but maybe he’s got a streak of normal left after all.
Which would have taken away a huge advantage the Eagles have in the game -- a very fast quarterback and receiver.
The Eagles have a chance to get a bye in the playoffs so I am not surprised Jeff Lurie had no problem moving the game to Tuesday.
This decision may have saved lives.
“This decision may have saved lives.”
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I agree. It was the right call.
And for the record, Ed Rendell is an idiot, and this proves it. Thank goodness he won’t be in office much longer.
Maybe that's the real reason for the cancellation: too much ammunition in the stands.
If I am not mistaken the mayor of Phila.declared a state of emergency beginning 2PM. I think that sealed the decision.
On any given night, 5 million people in the USA are paying to see a sports event.
My point is, so what if one game is moved to another night. They will still get the TV money, maybe more because of a normal off night.
“If I am not mistaken the mayor of Phila.declared a state of emergency beginning 2PM. I think that sealed the decision.”
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Probably. When we had a blizzard back in February, both local municipalities and the state declared an emergency, and people were ORDERED (not advised) to stay off the road. In fact, police were checking any vehicles on the road, and if you were not some kind of emergency personnel (such as fire, police, hospital employees and so on), you were fined and told to get off the road or you were sent back from wherever you came.
In my neck of the woods we have lousy roads. Streets are narrow and it’s difficult to get out of the way of snow removal equipment. Many roads are treacherous even in good weather. And then there are the drivers themselves. We get snow every year; yet most people are not prepared. And they drive too fast or stop suddenly or drive all over the road. Add some drunken fans on the road and we have a catastrophe in the making.
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