Originally published by Randy Kessler on LinkedIn: Why I'm rooting for my Super Bowl rival
Here I am in Houston at Super Bowl LI. This one has caused me to do some deep reflection. The rivalry which affects me is not a Falcons – Patriots one, but one which runs much deeper and longer. I grew up in New Orleans in the 1970s. In the 1970s, the two perennially worst teams in the NFL were the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints. And all they had to live for (because there was no chance either team would EVER be in, or win the Super Bowl), was to beat their arch rival from the NFC South Division. Yet I went to Law School in Atlanta at Emory and immediately felt the tension. I was always going to be a Saints fan, no matter what. But here I am 30 years later, with a daughter who has grown up IN ATLANTA as an avid Falcons fan (when I scream “Who Dat!”, she screams “Boo Dat!”).
So what do I do, here at a Super Bowl where my hometown New Orleans Saints’ arch rivals, the Atlanta Falcons, are playing for the World Championship? Welllllll……, I guess my rationalization is that if two kids are always at the bottom of their class and always fighting, but one makes it big, shouldn’t the other be glad for him? Well that’s how I feel and Atlanta has been very good to me, so yes, I am rooting for the Falcons. I cannot yet wear Falcons gear or logos, but since the Saints can’t win this one, as a good sport, I want Atlanta to win. But the best reason for me to root for the Falcons (that’s very hard to write) is that it will make so many people I know and care about (including my daughter) happy. And isn’t that what it’s all about? So I am enjoying this game in this beautiful NRG Stadium in Houston Texas.
Luke Bryan sang the national anthem and Lady Gaga will be performing at halftime. No one expected such a low scoring game (and definitely not a scoreless first quarter) from these two potent offenses, but there's plenty of time left. And it's getting good. The Patriots drive down the field, about to score, and then..., Atlanta forces and recovers a fumble. The score right now is Falcons 7; Patriots 0, but it’s definitely not over. I can’t wait to see the rest of the game and the fireworks at the end. But when it ends, no matter who wins, I will have evolved. I can root for my enemy and still have love for my team. Maybe I’m finally a grown up?