Who is America’s Team?
What’s going on people? I hope all is well everyone is in the mood to discuss some football because that’s the topic today. No worries though, this is not about the Saints bounty scandal, concussions, and no not about Tebow either, enough of that. Instead I want to ask a question that I truly wish isn’t necessary to ask being that I am a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan. What NFL team today truly represents the U.S. as America’s team?
Now I know some will question why I even bring forth the topic instead of keeping the title glued to my team, I am a realist and the truth of the matter is that my boys representing the star have not been doing the greatest job maintaining their label as America’s team. The franchise definitely has a past track of success with 5 total Super Bowls to their name which is tied for 2nd most all-time. Without question the Cowboys were the team of the 90’s as Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman, and Michael Irvin lit up not only Dallas but any defense in their way while winning 3 super bowls in a decade. The team also has the all-time leading rusher in football history in Emmitt Smith with 18,355. The Cowboys and their marketing genius of an owner Jerry Jones are the league’s most prized and decorated team, after all the world loves a star. Nevertheless, all the appeal, legends, and past success fail to justify their recent resume of failure and misfortune. Since the year 2000 the Cowboys have a total of just 96 wins and 4 playoff appearances (3 wildcard) to go along with 5 losing seasons. The 96 wins average out to an 8-8 record per season over the course of 12 years which is not playoff worthy. Yes I know, not the way America’s team should look at all. Let’s move on to potential candidates eligible for discussion as America’s team.
Vince Lombardi’s celebrated Green Bay Packers are definitely under consideration. Since the year 2000 the Packers have a total of 120 wins and 8 playoff appearances. Not to mention a Super Bowl victory of 2010 and only 2 losing seasons. The well respected franchise lacks the worldwide demand and attraction of Dallas’ beloved franchise, but both teams are arguably the most historic. Aaron Rogers is the reigning MVP and arguably the best player in the league today. As long as he is at the helm of the cheese heads, the Packers will continue to have great success and leave people wondering if they deserve to be known as America’s team. How about the reigning champion G-men? You honestly never know what to expect from Tom Coughlin and his team. A unit that often stumbles through the early part of the season and just when everyone counts them out the G-men put together an incredible and miraculous championship run. Through 7 playoff appearances this franchise has 3 Super Bowl appearances and 2 victorious trips since the year 2000. In addition, the G-men have 107 wins and only 3 losing seasons. Year in and year out the G-men prove to fans that they should never be counted out of the discussion as the NFL’s elite. We all know America loves an underdog and a comeback, so maybe the Giants are asserting to us that they are America’s team.
Are we the red, white, and blue being represented by the team of red, white, and blue? The New England Patriots have become accustom to winning as the team’s last losing season came in the year 2000 when they went 5-11. Nevertheless, the Tom Brady led Patriots have accumulated the most wins over the past 12 years with 139. Not to mention 9 playoff appearances resulting in 5 conference championships, and 3 Super Bowl wins. The serious and less than charismatic Bill Belichick has led his team to being statistically the greatest franchise since the year 2000. Their golden boy Tom Brady is a face of football today and will be considered one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever hit the field when he hangs up his cleats. Last but not least we have the Pittsburgh Steelers. This franchise currently holds the most Super Bowl victories up to date with 6. Ben Roethlisberger also one of the NFL’s elite at quarterback has a couple of Super Bowl wins early in his career. The Steelers have 127 wins since the 90’s ended and only 1 losing season. Also, the team added 3 conference championships and 2 Super Bowl wins through 8 playoff appearances. The franchise is always elite and feared in the AFC. Pittsburgh joins Dallas and Green Bay as a well-respected legendary team.
