Definition

I’ve been watching the highlights on ESPN and still can’t believe it.

I can’t believe the Arizona Cardinals are going to the NFC Championship.

Ever since I was in college, I always viewed the Cardinals as a losing team. I lived across street from Sun Devil stadium, and I used to comment to people about how quiet game days were (rather than hearing the fireworks from a touchdown). The only Cardinal highlight I could ever cheer on involved Cuba Gooding Jr. and Tom Cruise. Years went by and the seasons were painful.

I moved back to Arizona in fall of 2007 and once again live close to the Cardinals stadium–now their gorgeous facility, home of the 2008 Super Bowl. I followed the team loosely–turn on a game if there was nothing better to do or watch the highlight reel on the local news, but I didn’t believe anything would happen.

I watched the game last week fully expecting them to lose to Atlanta.

I talked with friends today who gathered together to watch the game–expecting a loss, but desiring one more celebration.

I heard local sportscasters describe how it would be difficult for them to lose without one of their star players, but how they’d cheer for the Cardinals anyway.

I watched every single analyst on Fox pick Carolina, and then I watched the game and listen to describe time and time again how Arizona could still lose.

And then the team won.

They not only won–they dominated.

They dominated on the road, in the East, where everyone said the Cardinals could not win.

After the game, coach Ken Whisenhunt said, “Not a lot of people have had very nice things to say about us, or given us much of a chance, and we’re working hard to try to earn some respect.”

In other words, the Cardinals went out and didn’t live by the definition that others had placed on them. They worked hard to write some new history.

I’m looking forward to seeing where it might take them.