As regular readers of this blog are aware, the Monday post was usually devoted to sports with highlights and analysis of the Max Kellerman show which formerly aired on 1050 ESPN Radio. As Max has resigned from 1050 and has not yet resurfaced on the NY area radio waves, I have decided to continue the tradition of linking sports to Torah which I believe was an undercurrent of the Max Kellerman show.
As I was loading our minivan in Chicago yesterday afternoon, I passed the time listening to the Jets-Jaguars game on Sirius Satellite radio. OK, I finished loading the car and then sat in it to listen to the end of the game, while Sarah got the kids ready and packed the food. Yes my wife is an angel, but that is a topic for another day.
After I loaded the last suitcase, the Jets scored a touchdown and with five minutes left found themselves up by one point with a decision to make – kick the extra point or go for the two point conversion. The question itself was not that difficult – if you make the two point conversion the other team needs a field goal to tie. If you kick the extra point, you only go up by two points and the other team can win with a field goal. If you miss the conversion, you are still winning by one.
The Jets went for the two point conversion and failed when Sanchez was unable to connect with Braylon Edwards. The announcers made it sound like the pass was late, but I have not seen the replay yet.
So now the Jets had to prevent the Jaguars from getting into field goal range. I sat in the car thinking the same thing that I recalled my father chanting for so many April nights when the Rangers were about to choke away a playoff game – “TOO MUCH TIME!”
At first it seemed that the Jets would pull it off. They had the Jags facing numerous 3rd downs, but each time the Jaguars would make a big play. Then, suddenly they were into Jets territory. And then in field goal range with two minutes to go. I start thinking Belichekian (more about him later) – just let them score and even if they put up 8 you have two minutes left to go down the field and tie the game or even go ahead.
The Jets players must have been given the same instructions as they allowed Maurice Jones Drew to run untouched to the one yard line. And then he stopped dead and took a knee. The Jets only had one time out left and the Jaguars were able to run the clock down to 2 seconds before kicking the game winning field goal. I was glad that I had not lost the entire afternoon sitting and watching (or listening to) the whole game.
Fast forward a few hours and the Patriots have a lead on the Colts late in the Fourth Quarter. Belichek has the Pats go for it on 4th down deep in their own territory, despite the fact that they are leading the Colts by 6. Going for it on 4th down is always a risk because the other team gets the ball if you don't make the first down. Doing this deep in your own territory is an even greater risk as you give the other team a short field. The upside in the Pats case was --if they made the first down they could run the clock down and the Colts would have no time to score.
For Belichek the gamble backfired as the Pats did not make the first down and the Colts marched 28 yards to win the game.
What do these two events have in common and what is their connection to Torah? The answer is DA.
When entering a synagogue one invariably sees a sign which says Da Lifnei Mi Ata Omeid - Know before whom you stand. When entering a shul, a person should be aware that they are in the presence of Hashem and need to act accordingly. The sign serves as a gentle reminder that since you are in shul you should not engage in frivolous activity.
In a similar vein - the key to the wins in the two games was knowledge of where the ball was on the field and what needed to be accomplished. By kneeling at the one foot line and not scoring the touchdown, Jones Drew was able to prevent the Jets from getting the ball back. By punting the ball and pinning the Colts back in their territory, Belichek could have won his game. By going for it on 4th down without regard to the ball's position on the field, Belichek lost the game. L'havdil, the knowledge of where one was factored in the decisions in each game.
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