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Amnesty, Pardon and Clemency

Tomorrow at noon, NFL regular season games begin.  I find myself in the annual ritual known as The Grand Delusion - that unbridled potential that exists in the final moments prior to the first snap of the ball, for every team to go all the way to the championship.  For every fan to believe that it is possible.

Once they start the games on that first day, exactly half of the teams will be losers.  Some will parlay losing - one game after another, one misstep at a time, one bad idea eclipsed by another even worse idea and a parade of clueless answers to the most simple of questions:

“what the hell were you thinking?”

As fans we know from years of personal, painful experience that the chances of heartbreak, dejection and frustration are our most likely reward.  But on this day, in these hours and getting ready for this game, this unblemished spectacle of hope and celebration, every team is a potential champion with an equally spotless record.

Before I go to meet the fate my team holds for themselves and for us fans, I am offer peace and a particular kind of peace.  Peace to anyone I’ve disagreed with.  If I was wrong, I apologize and if you were wrong, I no longer ask for your apology.  If we just could not agree or communicate in any way respectful and we have no idea what each other’s problem is, I simply offer respect and dignity which you merit because you are alive.

Go in peace, internet and Go Bears.