4th of July: Patriots vs. Patriots
With the 4th of July saving us from an otherwise boring day, it’s important to remember the accomplisments of our founding fathers. What better way to admire their greatness than to compare them to the “Patriots” of today.
Head Coach: George Washington versus Bill Belichick
George Washington led the upstart but under armed American Army to a dramatic victory over the British at Yorktown. Bill Belichick led the upstart but under armed 2001 New England Patriots to a dramatic victory over the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.
Winner: George Washington. Both were upstarts, but the British were a little less one diminsonal than the Rams. Besides, Washington dealt with vicious winters, the Rams played in a dome.
Leadership: Thomas Jefferson and John Adams versus Tom Brady and Tedy Bruschi
This is a tougher battle than it looks, if you’re willing to discount the incredible significange of the former for the football skills of the latter. Thomas and John were the intellectual backbone of the American Revolution, the sparing between the Massachusetts farmer and the Virginia Plantation owner would define the revolution itself. Jefferson and Adams would struggle over the years, but their friendship and embodiment of the philosophical side of the revolution still ring today. Sorry Tedy and Tom, no matter how good you guys are on the field, there’s no way you stack up here.
Wild Card: Samuel Adams versus Rodney Harrison
One is the leader behind Boston’s protests to the Stamp Act and the Boston Tea Party, the other is the “dirtiest” player in the NFL. Both have a larger reputation than they deserve, but the scale is on Samuel’s side. Unless Rodney starts a brewery, then it might close to a draw.
Conclusion: Patriots Win!
By that, we mean the real patriots, the ones that signed the Declaration of Independence, the ones that stood up against the largest empire in the world and declared in one voice that they would not stand for imperial tyranny, that these United States would stand together and unite against oppression.
No matter how important football may seem, nothing can be more significant than what the Founding Fathers of this great nation did in 1776. On this day, we insist that everyone takes a few minutes and reads the declaration in its entirely. It’s worth the time. You can read it below the fold.
I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday! Please remember our Armed Services as they’re deployed around the world.
Tags: America, Football, National Football League, New England Patriots, NFL, North America, Patriots, St. Louis Rams, Super Bowl XXXVI, United States, United States of America, USA
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