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Deluge of victory leaves my glass almost empty
By Ann Marie Shambaugh, Blinding Sound
Some people see the glass as half full. Others see it as half empty. As my husband, Steve, likes to point out, my glass only has a few drops in it, especially when it comes to sporting events.
On Sunday I got a reminder that optimism is not always the same as naivety when the Indianapolis Colts pulled off a thrilling comeback by scoring three touchdowns in two minutes and 10 seconds to beat the Houston Texans 31-27.
Steve and I have made travelling to Houston an annual tradition to watch our beloved Colts play there once every season. This game was a big one for both teams: underperforming division rivals in desperate need of a solid win. Neither team found one.
Knowing that my husband sees the glass as overflowing, I said that maybe we would see one of the greatest comebacks of all time as the fourth quarter was winding down, scoffing at the fact that Steve could ever believe such fairy tale nonsense.
By this time, many of the fans had cleared out, feeling confident in the Texans first win of the season. I was about to ask if we could leave, too, angry that I had paid double price for nosebleed seats on StubHub for an embarrassingly bad Colts game. That’s when the Colts defense came up with its first big play and the offense answered with a quick touchdown.
Still, the Colts needed another touchdown score to take the lead. I hid a faint feeling of hope, not wanting to appear crushed when they lost. I knew that if they could get a quick stop and score, just maybe they could win, and to my surprise that’s exactly what happened. When the Texans quarterback threw an interception with less than a minute remaining, I let go of the serious façade and screamed like a crazy person.
Understandably, the Texans fans surrounding us weren’t as elated. We got peanuts thrown at us and watched as a Colts fan wearing a huge chain and actual blue horseshoe got pelted with wads of paper. The injuries may have been more severe if so many Texans fans hadn’t already set out for home in false satisfaction.
As we left the building, I called my dad, possibly the only sports fan in the world more pessimistic than me, convinced that he had turned off the game early. I couldn’t wait to share the good news. He had arrived home from a speaking engagement well into the game, so he kept it on, and we giddily discussed the “miracle in Houston” as I walked to the car.
It was then that I realized that moments like this is what being a sports fan is all about. Diehard supporters will follow their teams through the good times and bad, and will occasionally experience an outcome so unlikely it will make all the bad times worth it n or lead to increased frustration, if you’re on the other side. But when the Texans get their shot at glory, it will taste even sweeter.
I’m thrilled that I got to watch one of the NFL’s biggest comebacks first hand, but it hasn’t changed my or my husband’s perspective too much. Steve is still convinced the Colts will win the Super Bowl every year (especially now), and I’m doubtful that they will ever win another game if they play like they did for most of Sunday’s game.
The deluge of sudden victory has only added a tiny little drop in my glass, and I’m a strong believer in evaporation.
Ann Marie Shambaugh is community editor of The Frisco Enterprise. She may be reached at ashambaugh@acnpapers.com.
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