Sign Of The Times: A Ring of Honor

I was wondering when it was coming and it's here: The Giant's will unveil a "Ring of Honor" in tribute to 30 former NY Giant greats during halftime Sunday night. They will include Bill Parcells, Michael Strahan, Tiki Barber, Phil Simms, Frank Gifford and Pete Gogolak. The rest of the ring won't be announced until the game.

I wonder if Lawrence Taylor will be inducted and/or invited due to legal woes from his tryst with an underage lady of the night. Lord knows that the Gmen don't need any more bad press.

I've been watching football for a long time now and know these two things for sure. 1) Teams usually don't come out of disastrous beginnings like the Giants have created; they pitfall and unintentionally position themselves into the first pick of the draft. 2) When a franchise is in turmoil, proper marketing and distraction are clutch. "Rings of Honor", "Fan Appreciation Day" and ceremonies of that nature are implemented to remind fans of the good times and keep their minds off of the fact that their favorite team is on a crash course to front page infamy.

Eli to Tom,"My heart will go on"

I'm sure I will be guilty of indulging in the halftime parade of nostalgia. Every die hard Giant fan will have their heart strings tugged when Phil Simms comes walking out, we just can't help it and the organization knows this. Even when the living wax statue that is Frank Gifford, slowly makes his way to the 50 yard line, I will feel sentimental for a time before my time and pride for a team that is far removed from glory. But keep reminding yourself, it is what it is: a distraction. Even though the violinists keep playing, the Titanic will certainly sink.

But that's what we do as humans isn't it? Laugh at a funeral. Sing songs about peace during a war. Invite former champions to come over in the midst of a free fall. It's just like when you invite grandpa to dinner. You love him but you don't like him anymore. You love what he was. I mean, who loves a narcissist with the fashion sense of a scarecrow, wafting with the smell of club man? He's terrible now. He just sits there complaining about "kids these days", "when I was your age" and "Oh if I were young again, I'd..". You can't help but saying, "I love you Grandpa but shut up and eat your high fiber cereal." "Did you know that when I was your age, I won a war all by myself?" Yes Grandpa, we know, you stormed the beaches of Normandy and choke slammed Nazis all the way to Berlin.

So on Sunday, when NY is down by 21, enjoy those Giant Grandpas at midfield. Remember to be kind and clap when Old Phil waxes poetic, "When I was your age I went  22 of 25 for 268 yards and three touchdowns in a Super Bowl." (In an old man voice) "I remember when Chuck Bednarick knocked me clean from my knickers". Yes Giff, you were tough, we know, put your teeth back in. Be sure to keep an evil eye pointed firmly at the owners box knowing that they are just trying to trick you by playing on your emotions. They know this team is a wreck and let's face it, "Ring of Honor Night" is just a short, polite euphemism for "PSL owner appreciation night at the New Meadowlands Duplex; man you guys got suckered on this one".