Brainstorm

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a huge football fan. Specifically, the Philadelphia Eagles. After years of mediocracy, the 2017 season was a magical one for the Eagles. They were one of the best teams in the league and were destined to make a deep playoff run. For the first time in franchise history, the Eagles had a shot at hoisting the Lombardi trophy. Only one thing stood in their way, the New England Patriots. They’d been the best team in the league for as long as I can remember and it seemed impossible to take them down. With New Year’s Eve right around the corner, the Superbowl matchup was set. The Philadelphia Eagles would take on the reigning champs, the New England Patriots in a winner-take-it-all loser-go-home contest. I put on my midnight green jersey, sat down with my friends, and we were off. The first half of the game was a rollercoaster of emotions. I was jumping on the couch with excitement and then screaming with frustration two plays later. The wild first half came to a close with a perfectly executed trick play to give the Eagles a 22-12 lead at halftime. This play would later become known as the “Philly Special” and would go down as one of the greatest moments in Superbowl history. I was glad that halftime came. It gave the players, along with myself, a chance to calm down. The second half came around and right away, the Patriots mounted a comeback. Two quick scores and the Eagles found themselves in a deficit. I was angry, I was irritable, I was yelling, throwing things, screaming at my friends, I was absolutely furious. That is, until the Eagles scored to take the lead back. All those feelings went away in a heartbeat. The two teams went back and forth for the rest of the game and so did my emotions. With seconds left in the game, a field goal gave the Eagles an eight point lead. If the defense could stop Tom Brady and the Patriots just one more time, the Eagles would win it all. My heart was beating through my chest as Brady launched the ball up into the endzone. It seemed like that final play took an hour. The Eagles knocked the ball away and for the first time in franchise history, they had won the Superbowl. The rest was a bit of a blur. I was running around the house screaming with joy. I was on my knees thanking whatever God in heaven made this happen. It was the best feeling in the world. Pure bliss. As my high from the win came down in the next few days, I began to ask myself why I was so damn happy. Football and the Eagles are so distant from my life. I mean, I’ve never even been to Philadelphia. Why do I feel such strong emotions towards this team and this sport? Why are millions of people in North America so invested in football? Why do billions of people around the world obsess over sports? There must be some clear-cut scientific answer, right? Well, yes, but there’s more to it. Let’s take a look.