Our national junior hockey team recently won the world championship for their age level. Go Canada, Go! They were not highly touted as many of our young stars had moved up to the reawakened NHL. And the assessment seemed valid as no Canadians were among the scoring leaders at the end of the tournament. But they won! Oh, there was chatter regarding dissension among the favoured US squad, and mention that the 'stars' on the equally-favoured Russian team were not willing to work hard at both ends of the ice. So, in the end, the team concept proved victorious. A bunch of 'no-names' worked hard for each other and their coach, and defeated the stars! This was considered only mildly surprising.
The University of Texas recently won the Rose Bowl and the acknowledged college football championship in the USA. Hook 'em, Horns! They were highly touted, having been ranked #1 or #2 all season long. And their star quarterback, Vince Young, did shine brightly, virtually carrying the team on his back to the championship. If he opts to turn pro next season, prognosticators wonder whether the Longhorns will make the top ten. But, they speculate, if he stays, the Longhorns will be favoured to repeat as national champions.
Hockey, where you need to rotate three or even four complete lineups onto the ice throughout the game has long-term proof that the team concept is supreme. Football with its two complete squads, and assorted special-purpose players has usually worked out the same way. What Vince Young displayed the other night, however, was the most complete domination by one player of a football game that I have ever witnessed. Michael Jordan is the prime example of what is commonplace in basketball—one player can, and often does, carry a basketball team. But football! Yikes!
The University of Texas recently won the Rose Bowl and the acknowledged college football championship in the USA. Hook 'em, Horns! They were highly touted, having been ranked #1 or #2 all season long. And their star quarterback, Vince Young, did shine brightly, virtually carrying the team on his back to the championship. If he opts to turn pro next season, prognosticators wonder whether the Longhorns will make the top ten. But, they speculate, if he stays, the Longhorns will be favoured to repeat as national champions.
Hockey, where you need to rotate three or even four complete lineups onto the ice throughout the game has long-term proof that the team concept is supreme. Football with its two complete squads, and assorted special-purpose players has usually worked out the same way. What Vince Young displayed the other night, however, was the most complete domination by one player of a football game that I have ever witnessed. Michael Jordan is the prime example of what is commonplace in basketball—one player can, and often does, carry a basketball team. But football! Yikes!
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