Go The Distance
The Pats Are Great But The Eagles Come From A City That Doesn’t Quit
Watch the New England Patriots take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 52 Sunday, Feb. 4 at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden Worship Center. This event is open to everyone. Doors open at 4 p.m., so get here early and enjoy the DJ, food and fellowship.
The Worship center at First Baptist Church of Glenarden.
In this scene from "Rocky," Balboa tells Adrian that he doesn't believe he can beat champion Apollo Creed but that he is gong to fight the full 15 rounds - as no one ever did - and prove he's a quality fighter.
On the night before the big fight with Apollo Creed the worldwide Champion Rocky Balboa realized that he could not win the fight. But he decided that he would go the distance. No one had ever gone 15 rounds with the champ before. Rocky Balboa determined that he would be the first man to do that. He was from Philly, he had heart. He would prove that and that he was no punk and he was no bum. He would show the champion that he deserved to be in that ring.
Fans of the Philadelphia Eagles would love to see a Super Bowl win come to their city. But even they realize that the five-time champion Patriots are as comfy on the Lombardi trophy stand at game’s end as buffalo wings are in blue cheese dressing.
It doesn’t mean they can’t win. It just means no one will hang the birds out to dry if they don’t.
What we all want is a fight. We want Philly to show up and punch the champion in the mouth. The game should be a gut check for The Pats. If they want a win, they’ll need to earn it.
Don’t run a last minute interception on the one yard line because the coach called a pass play instead of handing off to one of the most powerful running backs the game has ever known (Pats beat the Seahawks, 18 – 24, Superbowl XLIX, 2015). Don’t run a 20+ halftime lead just to drop it all in the second half (Pats beat the Falcons, 34 – 28, Superbowl LI, 2017). Don’t play to cameras or anyone else. Play through heart.
And no disrespect meant to the champions. Is it their fault they are that good or that in some cases their opponents make sloppy choices, choke up and fade or whatever they do to lose the game? The Patriots dominate this game – and the headlines – for over a decade for good reason: genius coaching, pure smart talent, experience and confidence. The only way to be champion is to win. Most everything else is whining. The Patriots understand that.
But the Eagles are housed in a city that understands heart and toughness. Fight and win or fight and lose, but fight. Don’t quit and don’t choke. If the Eagles can walk off the field with their heads up, they win the hearts of the city of Philadelphia and the world. Well, that Lombardi would be nice, too.
Enjoy the game and fellowship at First Baptist Church of Glenarden.
