Bitter or Accurate? Fail Mary Shows All The Wrong Things About NFL

The term ‘Fail Mary’ is never going away. We will know about that term until the end of our time as Packers fans. We’ll explain it to our children and grandchildren. It is one of the greatest screwjobs of NFL history. It is the only game that caused me to storm out of my house and walked around my neighborhood livid the Packers lost that game. Also, I slammed the door in frustration and fairly certain I damaged our wood door at the time. That game will live in infamy. Due to quarantine without sports, ESPN is showcasing classic Monday Night Football games on Monday’s. This week, they chose the Fail Mary and have no idea why.
The game itself is a defensive struggle. We’re at the beginning of the Russell Wilson’s Seahawks lore, and that heave to the end zone started his career in a positive direction. We’re also at the start of the Seahawks’ dominating defense that people knew little about. I see the allure in wanting to bring those things back to light even if these things aren’t forgotten by anyone in 2020. But the Fail Mary represents two things to me – a league that couldn’t get a deal done with their refs and the continued incompetence of the league’s officials.
I’m unsure if ESPN has to get permission from the NFL to show old games, or since it previously aired on their network, it is fair game. Regardless, the NFL should not be happy that this game is back in the spotlight. This should be seen as a black eye for the game. But instead, no one cares because it is Game 3 of the regular season, not a playoff game.
The only good thing about the Fail Mary is it ended replacement refs that night. For that, I’m grateful. But other than that, there is nothing good about this game. If you’re a Seahawks fan, can you feel good about that one? Maybe. I’m sure Green Bay missed some opportunities.
Maybe ESPN can show the Favre-Jennings overtime walk-off next week? Just a suggestion.
Charlie.