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| Photo by author |
In an instant classic the University of California Golden Bear football team rose from the dead yesterday to defeat their hated rivals, the Stanfurd Cardinal before a sell out crowd at Berkeley's Memorial Stadium that -- of course -- included yours truly.
The Bears seemed dead in the water after fumbling the kick off after their foes went ahead, 21-7. But the defense held and the Furdies muffed a field goal try. There was still life in the Sturdy Golden Ones. Cal kicked a field goal to reduce the margin to 21-10. The defense held again and then drove for a touchdown to cut the margin to 21-16 (a two-point try failed). The comeback effort looked for naught when the Lobsterbacks moved toward midfield but the Bear defense stiffened up and forced a punt. That punt was downed on the two-yard line meaning Cal had to go 98 yards for a winning score. They did. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza etched his name into Big Game lore throwing his third touchdown pass of the game, this one for 22 yards to wideout Jonathan Brady (who'd also scored on the preceding drive) with two minutes and forty seconds remaining in the game. This time the Bears converted the two-point try.
The Furdies got the ball back but in four plays managed to go minus four yards. The Bears then ran out the clock. Fans stormed the field and the Stanfurd Axe stayed in Berkeley for the fourth year in a row. Bliss.
My friends and I experienced numerous emotions throughout the course of the game. There was depression and resignation for much of it but relief, shock and jubilation at the end. High fives and hugs were freely exchanged and I did my happy dance. We joined the huge crowd on the field and continued the celebration.
I feel absolutely marvelous today. Giddy as a child on Christmas morning. What a great gift sports can be. The Bears have caused me a lot of heartache over the last six decades, including over the past few months. But it's all forgotten in times like this. Spirits soar because of the accomplishments of 18-23 year olds on an athletic field. I will never apologize for finding great joy from sports results (though I'll feel silly for ever letting sports results ruin my day). The truth is that sports has a far greater capacity to make me very happy than it does to make me sad. The sorrow of defeat can be brushed off when there is so much else to enjoy in life. But the elation of victory is a wonderful supplement to an already rich and fulfilling life.
The Cal football program has been woeful for most of my life but I am eternally grateful for it because it occasionally provides days like yesterday that make it all worth while. What fun!
And oh by the way....Go Bears!!!
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