11/16/21

Jay C. Brandriet

This last weekend the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions ended their contest with 16 points a piece.

It brings up an annual debate with my buddy Jon Brown.

As a life long Dallas Cowboys fan, my team has never tied. I’ve never experienced that feeling.

“The tie” comes with a pretty negative reputation. It’s been compared to “kissing your sister.”

I’ve noticed fans and even players often see it, as a loss. It’s this disgusting label that’s been dropped on everyone involved.

It’s viewed as the ultimate waste of a day.

Being equal, is apparently the same as being less than.

I understand the win or nothing attitude.

Herm Edwards was right.

“YOU PLAY…..TO WIN…..THE GAME!”

I get it. You don’t show up to lose or come out even.

Having the same amount of points as the clock hits zero, means something different to me.

AN NFL TIE IS CLOSER TO A WIN, THAN A LOSS

From the perspective of a crazy, attached fan….

Losing hurts worse, than winning feels good.

Unless you win a Super Bowl…..

The low of losing is worse, than the high of winning is great.

When I was younger, I took this Dallas Cowboys thing way too serious.

A loss could ruin my day. It could ruin the day of those around me.

Sometimes, it could make the rest of that afternoons NFL action, look sickening to me.

It may bother me until the following Thursday.

Don’t get me wrong.

Winning feels awesome.

It’s more like a relief, than some extended party.

I’d be grateful, but then the greed of winning kicks in.

I’d start thinking ahead to next weeks opponent.

Are they healthy? What are their strengths? What will the weather be like in that city?

Of course it’s exciting watching the rest of the days games. Let’s observe others have triumph and misery.

Bigger than the win earlier, is the fact YOU DIDN’T FREAKING LOSE!

I understand that simply not winning, can hurt your team in the standings.

There hasn’t been a perfect tie since Rocky 3.

They don’t happen that often.

Circumstance matter too.

Supporters of the 0-8 Lions probably had a nice Sunday.

Steelers fans were likely annoyed.

MY BOTTOM LINE

If losing hurts more than winning feels good….

And you tie……

YOU DID NOT LOSE!

So even if it’s a 60/40 split…..

A tie is closer to winning, than losing.

Jay C. Brandriet