SuperBowl XLI

The 2006 football began as did all previous. With high hopes and great expectations for a winning season by the 32 participating teams.

As early as July 2007, prognosticators and bookies alike were already starting to make their predictions on the outcome of the biggest game of yet another NFL season. Local, as well as national sportscasters were guessing and second guessing who would ultimately secure the title as "Champions of the Gridiron 2007"!

Week after week, team after team showed their best and their worst.

Down-and-outs beat "Hail Mary" passes. Field goals dominated the blitz.

Finally, on Sunday, February 4, 2007, in front of a world-wide audience of an estimated 93.2 million viewers, the battle was set. The Chicago Bears would meet the Indianapolis Colts for the coveted Vince Lombardi trophy that declares once and for all who is indeed the Super Bowl Champion.

Not to be overlooked, it was also a very historic game in that it was the very first time in history that - not one, but two Black men were facing off in the game. They were also men of faith... a greater fact of historical implications.

By now you already know the outcome...The Indianapolis Colts won the game 29-17.

But who really won?

Was it the city of Indianapolis? Congrats to them for this victory.

Was it the city of Miami, Florida? I am sure they made a pretty good buck with parties, visitors and more.

Was it the fans of the NFL? Another great season with as many ups and downs as the average amusement park thrill ride, and twice as many let downs.

Or was it Tony Dungy versus Lovie Smith? Two Black men whose faith in God prevailed despite who won the game.

These two men let it be known their faith is what got them (and their teams) where they were. They never hid their faith. They never compromised themselves. They never denied their God.

Yes, we Blacks have made history at a time we celebrate our history.

We won't even discuss the ads, or the show that was "Prince".

In the end, we all won.

Whether you played the game, watched the game, worked the game or just heard about the game...we all won.

For four brief quarters - a total of just over 100 minutes, no one cared about ethnicity (race). No one cared about economic status. No one even cared about sexual preferences. Even all of the denominational divisions were erased.

For 100 minutes we were all one in the spirit. And whether you believe in God or not, we all won.

Oh, that we could stay in Super Bowl mode forever.

But then again...how would we be able to prepare for Super Bowl XLII. Dumb commercials and all!

Who knows, maybe next will be the "Year of the Bears"?! Or the Steelers. Or, Ravens...