Thoughts about football, politics and life

That Seahawks-Cardinals game the other night looked like present day political football with both teams aiming for victory. Thinking they have the better players — the better game plan. One's cruising to what looks like a blowout early in the game. The other mounts a comeback. Each chalks up avoidable mistakes — along with some stellar moments. They scrap it out to an overtime decision.

Coin toss winner has the advantage — but they fail to bring it in. Comeback team's turn with the ball is about to score for the W. Does score. Game over. One side's elated — the other dejected. But hold it. Field goal kick doesn't count — their own coach has called a jinxed time out.

A second field goal attempt. An unbelievable miss. Another chance for the coin toss winners. They get down to business and down the field. They're in for the touchdown. Jubilation for one team — consternation for the other. Or is it?

There's a holding penalty against the touchdown team. The ball's coming back. Coin toss winners have to work for it once again. But they're down there. It's pretty much a done deal.

Then the unthinkable happens. Major muff up for the about-to-be champions. Interception in the end zone. Enough time on the clock for the comeback team to drive the ball back down the field. Close enough for their kicker to boot a field goal — and this time he doesn't miss. Final score 37-34. The only win for the coin toss winners was just that.

For anyone following the current political scene this NFL game holds some analogy. Possibly even down to an election overtime decision in the Supreme Court. Kind of interesting the team uniforms in this close contest happen to be red and blue.

Recently I wrote a group of 14 family members in a weekly email. We occupy an age span from 30 to 93, men and women, West Coast to East Coast and places in-between, plus north to Alaska. “We undoubtedly hold differing political views,” I stated, “and we each have valid reasons for why we support our person or party. Isn't it great that we continue to love and respect each other.”

In that Sunday night football game players were injured — but no one cheered they were down. When the battle ended — for this time — there was even some back-slapping. Admiration for the effort each put in — including a super-charged chase-down and tackle that kept one team from scoring in their quest for the end zone.

Whether sooner or later there is going to be a decision in this 2020 presidential election. With COVID-19 protocols, fans aren't allowed in NFL games except a trickle here and there. Not so with voters — we can mail in or show up — everyone of us. Cast that vote for our team. In doing so put ourselves out there on the field — and just maybe bring home the outcome for which we hope.