Sports fans will be treated to some excellent entertainment this weekend. Despite mid-winter weather around the country, California's weather on Sunday looks very good for football in Santa Clara, home of the '9ers' stadium. The stadium, which sits on the threshold of what was known as "Silicon Valley", will be the venue for the contest. Both teams are on a roll: The 'City' team has won 11 straight games, thanks in part to its new quarterback-Brock Purdy, the 22 year old wunderkind. He was drafted almost as an afterthought-the last man standing. How did the scouts miss this man?
Then, we have the Cowboys. They just finished a wild game in the wild card weekend. They steamrolled the Buccaneers and Senior QB, Tom Brady. One turnover after another did the Bucs in. It was one after another that gave heartburn to Floridians.
The rivalry between these two goes back decades to a time before the 'Montana Era' of the '80's and '90's. That time, that innocent sports time period, had the Cowboys, known as 'America's Team', roll over the local boys time and time again, creating a lingering animosity that boils the blood of the diehard '9er fan. They have long memories. This Sunday, few of those veteran fans will be in attendance. Most have gone on to the large stadium in the sky; their offspring now in their old seats(similarly situated). As children, they can recall Dad's emotional involvement with Kezar Stadium and the cold fog whipping the hoards of seagulls who descended on the seats late in the 4th quarter. Now, the seats are only for the well-heeled: $3500 for a pair, and up. If they win, prices will reach new heights. Such is the realm of modern professional sports(pick one!).
Watching Purdy perform in his rookie season is akin to watching Joe Montana when he opened the doors to a new era for San Francisco. The "Faithful" as season ticket holders were known, were finally rewarded for their faith. They were believers; acolytes, devotees, and of course, endlessly hopeful for victory. Here we go again. Jimmy G, almost ready to go again, will be ready to assume his former role should fate take Purdy out of the game. He is a known quantity; and allows the coach to have calm nerves during active play. After a week of intense film review, the vaunted '9er defense will be ready with a plan. So, too, the Purdy-led offense with Kittle and running back McCaffrey.
Get ready, too, Believers! Watch it.
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