We Are Spoiled. Remember That.

Here we are again in the morning after another brilliant performance by Aaron Rodgers. The fact that he is making a habit out of crushing the hopes and dreams of Cowboys nation makes it all the better. For people like this author, who grew up watching Brett Favre and Reggie White’s teams defeated by the Cowboys in the ’90s, the last two games in Arlington taste like sweet, delicious vengeance.

Everyone watching the game knew what was going to happen. Everyone in the stadium knew that the game was far, far from over when Dak Prescott bowled into the end zone with a minute and change left in regulation. I was watching the game with my old man, and we both knew there was plenty of time left for Rodgers to take care of the ‘Boys. My phone buzzed with multiple text messages from friends who dislike the Packers with a passion. They both stated something along the lines of, “The Cowboys left too much time on the clock. A touchdown is coming, guaranteed.” A few minutes later, texts from the same parties in all capital letters and vulgarities were sent my way. I bathed in their tears, and still am.

These are times to cherish, Packer fans. There are fanbases whose teams have provided little to no joy for generations. Cleveland is the Factory of Sadness. Detroit has one playoff victory to its name since 1957. Buffalo had their hearts broken four straight years in a row and have been abysmal ever since. And Minnesota…oh, the delightful joy that the Vikings have brought us. No team in the past 30 years has ripped defeat from the jaws of victory like they have. Had the 1998 Vikings won the Super Bowl, as they should have, they would have cemented themselves in the argument for greatest team of all time until the world ends.

This all leads us back to what we should be realizing. Aaron Rodgers, and Brett Favre before him, have spoiled us. Granted, Packers fans put in their time after the Lombardi years with nearly three decades of junior varsity caliber football. Still, the fact of the matter is that we are not even surprised when the starting quarterback pulls off another miracle. Rodgers is stockpiling the classic moments of his career. Remember these, and cherish them. It could all end in an instant. J.J. Watt’s career may have ended this weekend. You never know when something could change. At the same time, enjoy the ride. And ultimately, as per the mantra of the 72-10 Chicago Bulls, “It don’t mean a thing without the ring.”

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