Super Bowl XLVII
It was the Super Bowl Sunday. It was the day we have been waiting for to have fun with all our kids gathered in front of the huge HD flat TV screen, screaming, yelling, and laughing together. After the church service, we drove down to San Diego, an hour and a half drive, where Cherry’s home is. I drove and HJ promised to drive on the way back home. HJ prepared something to eat for lunch and Cherry made unsalted popcorn with her new air corn popper. She knows I like no salt popcorn. Later Christine joined and finally Alan came having finished his duty as a pilot flying from Texas to San Diego. We could not miss the delicious pizza for dinner. It is no fun to watch a Super Bowl without pizza.
TV at every channel was about the Super Bowl from the early morning. The game started at 3:00 pm PST at Superdome, New Orleans. 49ers of San Francisco and Ravens of Baltimore were fighting. I was a fervent 49ers fan. I loved Joe Montana, when he played in 1990 against John Elway of Broncos. Colin Kaepernick, quarterback of 49ers is young, promising, and excellent player. However, somehow my heart went to Ravens. Baltimore is in Maryland where we lived for 12 years. I felt Joe Flacco, quarterback of Ravens, like being my hometown kid. The coaches of the opposite teams are real brothers, Jim and John Harbaugh. Their parents were among the spectators and watching them facing off. Jim the younger of 49ers was to me like a buffoon with samurai eyes. Every turn of the events was reflected on his facial expressions and bodily motions, while John the elder tried hard to maintain equanimity in his demeanor.
By the end of the first half, Ravens led 49ers by 21-6. A TV cameraman often showed audience Jim diligently working with commotion. At the beginning of the third quarter, on 49ers’ kick off, the receiver of Ravens stunned spectators by making 108 yard run to make additional touchdown, scoring 28-6. Can you imagine what could have happened to Jim? Or what would Jim do to change the momentum? All of a sudden, most part of the stadium went dark. A power outage occurred. “Poor Jim! We know you did not run up to the power room to turn off the light, simply because you did not like the score.” After more than half an hour delay, John seemed to concern about the momentum change. Indeed, 49ers came back to catch up within a touchdown to 34-29.
The last two minutes was like a one choreographed. At the 2 minute warning, 49ers had the ball on the 4th down within 5 yards to the goal line. Kaepernick with his energy and confidence was highly likely to make the touchdown to win. Alas, the throw he made was slightly too long to make the catch. There appeared to be a momentary mingling of the intended catcher and an opponent during the flight of the ball. Jim Harbaugh immediately cried in desperation to call for interference, yet no penalty marker was seen on the ground. Then was the Raven’s turn to take offence. They played a safe game not attempting to make a throw but waiting for time to expire. There were only 12 seconds left when Ravens were on 4th down to make a punt. The 12 second might be enough for 49ers to make a touchdown. Upon receiving the snapped ball, the punter unexpectedly, holding the ball, stayed in the end zone evading any assault until pushed out of the zone. The punter gave 2 points of safety to 49ers and in turn consumed 8 seconds of playtime which was like infinity. With the score of 34-31, 4 seconds remaining, Ravens made a great kick. The time left was too short for 49ers to do anything meaningful.
Ravens have become the champion of the Super Bowl 2013. 49ers are good players with the dynamic coach and will probably win next year. We enjoyed watching the game with all our family. HJ drove home safe the night. (February 5, 2013, KYP)
