Who knew during the NFL lockout that our San Francisco-Oakland bay area would field playoff potential teams, much less Super Bowl contenders.
In committing what many Raider Nation fans will call a crime against humanity, I cheered along with 49er fans as their team handed the (6-3) New York Giants their third loss of the season. I realized while watching the game with Niner friends of mine that the Bay Area is big enough for two champion-caliber teams to co-exist.
Raider Nation, we need to stop hating and start relating to our sports brothers around the bay. If nothing else, recognize that the Niners have more in common with us than any other team in the league; new head coach, old stadium, proud history, 9 year playoff drought, current division lead and best place on earth to live in northern California.
The bay area has two shots at bringing home a Super Bowl trophy this season. It's been 15 seasons since we've been able to lay claim to a NFL champion here. With the way both teams are winning this season it would be wise and self-fulfilling to applaud the success of each and be ready to welcome the Lombardi Trophy to northern Cali..
When the prodigal son returned home his brother was jealously hurt by their father's joyous welcome-home feast in honor of the returning son. I say to Raider & Niner fans what the father said to his older son: "My son, you are always with me and all that I have is yours." (Luke 15:11-32)
When the Lombardi Trophy returns to the Bay Area we should all celebrate it's return regardless the team who brings it home. We can rejoice in knowing that what's been lost to the area for 15 seasons, has been found.
Let brotherhood and fellowship reign supreme, at least for one Super season. wink, wink!
Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. "Your brother has come," he replied, "and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound." The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, "Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!" "My son," the father said, "you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." (Luke 15:11-32)
