So my Denver Broncos got soundly spanked in the Super Bowl. Heartsick, I couldn’t even watch the game after that disastrous first 10 seconds, hereafter known in Bronco lore as The Snap.
After seeing the Seattle vs. San Francisco playoff game, I knew we didn’t stand a chance if Seattle was “on” on Super Bowl Sunday.
Seriously, did all the sports forecasters forget the stats accumulated over decades of titanic football clashes? A strong defense will, with few exceptions, prevail over a strong offense (and they’ll beat the crap out of an admittedly discombobulated offense).
In spite of the cruel loss, this Super Bowl left me with two breath-taking moments I will long cherish.
First: Renee Fleming
I don’t know who selected her to sing the Star Spangled Banner, but let’s immediately put that person in charge of all decisions by the federal government for the rest of 2014.
What a Class Act she is. No pun intended because choosing a classically-trained opera soprano was an unusual choice, given how relatively few Americans listen to classical music or attend operas.
To have her perform such a joyful, honest rendition of our national anthem; to have her dress so beautifully in modest, unadorned clothing; to have her celebrate the magnitude of that patriotic song in such simple, soaring splendor is something I will remember for a very long time.
Tomorrow: Class Acts at the Super Bowl, Part 2
bemuzin 