Super Bowl Finality

The Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle said, “Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives - choice, not chance, determines your destiny.”

To understand this Super Bowl we must acknowledge that we are not merely assessing the players on the field, but rather the respective weight of two contending Greek principles. Two forces in opposition whose particular weight must be measured and extrapolated in order to challenge Vegas.

These fundamental ideals in opposition are that of the “vendetta” and “arete”. Vendetta being the sacred duty to defend the honor of one’s family, friends or village against offense, impropriety or land dispute. And Arete being the essence of excellence, fulfillment of one’s ultimate potential or highest level of effectiveness.

Do not despair, as the Greek uncles have done this analysis for you. It helps that this year’s game falls during the Olympic truce and on the same lunar cycle as early August of 1980 when the fate of Anopolis village in the Sfakia region of Crete hung in the balance.

In the 1950s, neighboring Aradena was deserted as the blood feud and its perpetual cycle of violence never abated. A similar fate for Anopolis was at stake. Takis was 19 that summer and the oldest brother of 17-year-old Vasiliki. The weight of his family’s honor rested on his feeble shoulders.

Vasiliki had blossomed literally and figuratively, unexpectedly her bosom had peaked like the ominous White mountains of Sfakia. 20-year-old Leonidas from neighboring Kambia had taken notice. His souped-up papaki (moped) and curly flow gave him outsized bravado. He impregnated Vasiliki in November of 1979 while tending his family’s flock. Her bulge became apparent that spring and the baby was due in late July.

Takis was more interested in shooting alien creatures than Leonidas. As one of the first Cretans to get an Atari 2600 he was consumed by Space Invaders. He would devour Koukouroukou wafers, Lux soda and lock himself in his room in an effort to commandeer his spaceship and beat the game.

The roots of “veangance habitus” were not in him like his fellow townspeople. Plus he had peeked at Vasiliki’s diary and saw how her loins longed for Leonidas. Nonetheless, his father would force him out for tentative shooting sessions in the olive grove.  With every month the pressure mounted and seeing that baby was more than Anopolis could bear. 

Enter Father Theofilos from Aghia Thymiani monastery. He had heard of the impending doom and destruction ahead, but was determined to be the vessel of sasmos , or reconciliation. Father Theofilos was a noble and holy man, the best of Crete’s clergy, a missionary of peace bound to intercept Takis as a timid and unwanting conduit of retribution. 

After weeks of tenuous back and forth, private meetings and heartfelt prayers, the elders of Kambia and Anopolis met at the baptism where Takis was made the godfather and peace was established at the reception table.

Leonidas and the village of Kambia inherited this peace and the grazing pastures that came with the prika (dowry). Their lineage improved and Kambia was entreated to the spoils of unity with Anopolis.

While a good story, vengeance habitus is not rooted in the current Seahawks. In our modern transient league, no one is around that can carry the weight of that conviction onto the field, remembering the loss to the Patriots in the last Super Bowl they were in. Like Takis, the manufactured anger seems to be driven by outside forces more than an innate hatred.

Just as it was in Father Theofilos and Leonidas, “arete” is in the genes of Mike Vrabel and the Patriots organization. From worst to first they are outplaying expectation and owning the fabled Patriot aura.

The Super Bowl has come but its arrival brings the melancholy of the season ending. The emptiness can't be filled with basketball alone, so the Greek Uncles in Chicago turn towards soccer and the Olympics.

As for the big game, the match up is interesting. We consider Vrabel an excellent coach and most pundits consider him to be better than McDonald of the Seahawks but that conclusion is based on the lack of history we have with him. As for the quarterbacks, both had exceptional years, but Maye's offensive line may be a liability here. Seattle doesn't get a ton of sacks but they do have a decent pressure rate. If the O-line can buy some time, Maye will find open receivers.

The public is down on the Patriots because of their poor offensive performances during the playoffs but they played three great defenses so far and now face another good one. Seattle's secondary can be had.

Also, let’s not forget New England's defense has been excellent and Darnold has played poorly when under pressure. Take the Patriots to cover the spread. Most places have the line set at +4.5 but there are sites that have it at +5. If you’re feeling yourself take the Pats to win at +200.

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Season 34-30