02-07-2022, 11:39 AM
I'm 46 years old, so I don't really remember the first super bowl in 1981, but I still feel a little twinge of pain every time I hear Joe Montana's name due to the 1989 game. I also remember the Reds 1990 championship. Other than the Bengals, my favorite sports team is Ohio State football, so obviously there have been some good times there to offset some of the disappointment of riding with the Bengals and Reds.
I grew up in Athens, so the fact that we have been led to this point by a kid from my town makes it mean even more, and makes it almost surreal. For those who aren't from southeast Ohio, you may not understand how rare it is for something hopeful and optimistic to come from that area. Athens County is the 4th or 5th poorest county in the USA. It's been hit hard by the opioid epidemic like many parts of rural appalachia. Before Joe, it was an extreme rarity if a kid from Athens County played minor league baseball or something, and to my knowledge there's never been a major league athlete in any sport from there. To call Joe a diamond in the rough would be a major understatement.
So to me, this gives it an extra level when I ponder what this Super Bowl means. I love this team regardless of Sunday's result and I've never had this much fun following a sports team. Cherish this everybody, there are no guarantees we'll be back (even though the future seems very bright). Do not take this for granted.
I grew up in Athens, so the fact that we have been led to this point by a kid from my town makes it mean even more, and makes it almost surreal. For those who aren't from southeast Ohio, you may not understand how rare it is for something hopeful and optimistic to come from that area. Athens County is the 4th or 5th poorest county in the USA. It's been hit hard by the opioid epidemic like many parts of rural appalachia. Before Joe, it was an extreme rarity if a kid from Athens County played minor league baseball or something, and to my knowledge there's never been a major league athlete in any sport from there. To call Joe a diamond in the rough would be a major understatement.
So to me, this gives it an extra level when I ponder what this Super Bowl means. I love this team regardless of Sunday's result and I've never had this much fun following a sports team. Cherish this everybody, there are no guarantees we'll be back (even though the future seems very bright). Do not take this for granted.
