I think I’ve handled my dad’s passing in May quite well. He was a month short of 95, and had led a terrific, long , very happy and substantive life.
But honestly, this is very wistful. Very. My dad LOVED Northwestern University football. He loved most things about Northwestern and even taught in the medical school. But he dearly loved NU football. Loved, loved, loooved it. He had season tickets to home games for 51 years!! For a team that set the record for the longest losing streak in college football history. And at the time had the worst record in the history of college football. Whenever a Northwestern player would simply make the squad of an NFL team, even if they didn't play, he'd be thrilled. When they actually got into a game? It was heaven for him. And here tonight, a Northwestern quarterback not only played in an NFL game -- and not only started the game, but started the first game of the NFL season. Took the very first snap. And for the defending Super Bowl champions, the Denver Broncos. My dad would have LOVED it. Been utterly overjoyed. So, honestly, it’s very wistful he can't see it. But wonderful that it’s happening, and I look at it as a great legacy carrying on and being able to appreciate it for him… The game was considered a bit of a mismatch, at least at the quarterback position. Yes, Denver is the defending Super Bowl champion, but their quarterback, the great Peyton Manning, has retired. And their opponent was the team they played in the Super Bowl, the Carolina Panthers, who wanted revenge. And their quarterback, Cam Newton, won the MVP award last year. And Denver won, under Trevor Siemian, who completed 18-26 passes and threw for one touchdown. My brother loved NU football, too. We not only grew up going to games with my dad, but he went to medical school there. And even though he lived in Wisconsin, he'd get Northwestern season tickets, and drive down for each home game. And he passed away two years ago. So, it was additionally wistful tonight, watching. But mainly for the so-recent loss of my dad. But, I went to the school, as well, and it's a joy to carry it all on. Things do pass. And happily, (if I can include a pun), one of those things that pass tonight was Trevor Siemian, who passed wonderfully. And helped make it a happy night. Wistful, but very happy to carry it on and keep the legacy moving forward.
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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