The Big “Big” Game
On January 28, 1986, as a 9 year old boy, I remember the day of my Grandmother’s 62nd and final birthday with us. It was a fantastic day. My parent’s were hosting another family birthday get together in their West Philadelphia row home, which was basically the same as just another Italian Sunday. But this special day also happened to be a Super Bowl Sunday. Super Bowl XX to be exact. XX means twenty, if you don’t know Roman numerals.
It was the Jim McMahon led Chicago Bears (later an Eagles QB) and the New England Patriots, of no one’s name you probably remember. Maybe Irving Fryar. But that’s it. Ok, and Tony Franklin! If you know, you know. You know, those Chicago Bears! YES! These Super Bowl Shuffling Chicago Bears! Consisting of team and season-long stars, such as Sweetness, aka Mr. Walter Payton, and Willie Gault. And Defensive powerhouses, Super Bowl XX MVP, Mr. Richard Dent, and feared by all, #50 Mike Singletary. All led by Head Coach Mike Ditka and Defensive Coordinator, Buddy Ryan. (later an Eagles Head Coach. Yes, the same Buddy that Chicago’s Shuffle later inspired this “must watch” gem.)
Anyway, I didn’t know any of those Chicago guys leading up to that game, except maybe a little bit of Jim McMahon or Mike Ditka during the season, or leading up to the Super Bowl. It was probably that damn shuffle that really put them all on the map for a lot of people.
But getting to my point, my favorite part of Super Bowl XX was witnessing something that I’ve never seen before, and I’ve never seen since, thus far. I’m pretty sure a lot of you remember it. But you probably didn’t or don’t know it’s significance. That moment was at 3:46 in the 3rd quarter, lined up from the 1 yard line was a 335 lb caboose. A refrigerator if you will. The tower house of power himself, #72, Mr. William Perry. This is what was seared into my brain.
The significance of this play, I later found out was a Mike Ditka vendetta of sorts. And history was made. A big man in the backfield was not so crazy. Since then, many bulky masters have garnished the position with spectacular play, but none as husky as The Refrigerator.
As I write this on January 29, 2023, after watching the Philadelphia Eagles manhandle the San Francisco 49ers to move on to Super Bowl LVII (57 dumb dumb!), I’m hoping for an unlikely, but before-seen situation to play out. No, not exactly the same way as “the Fridge”, but simply from a numbers perspective. I’m waiting for Philadelphia Head Coach Nick Sirianni to call #68 for this same exact play. I’ve been hoping for this moment for two seasons now. I haven’t even cared that it would happen in a Super Bowl game. But now that we’re going there, what better time to flip to the back pages of the playbook and make this one be the new Philly Special. And if it does, you’ll see a grown husky Eagles fan jumping on his couch in excitement like a little-girl. Hell, I might start doing that as his groupie at this point, if he ever releases an album.
I’m speaking of none other than Australian Rugby legend, and new singing sensation, Philadelphia Eagles starting Offensive Tackle, Mr. Jordan Mailata.
Here are his amazing rugby highlights. And here are his exceptional 2020 Eagles highlights. I can’t wait to see the highlight reel put together for this year.
So weighing in at 30 large over The Refrigerator at 365 lbs., my thoughts are, this could potentially make Jordan Mailata the new king of this crown.
Jordan has an amazing backstory and took an adventurous journey becoming an NFL player, and obviously he’s still adding to his legacy, even if that play never happens. But it better. Right, Nick!? Here’s everything about Jordan you want to know. The Official NFL Story & his Wikipedia page.
So with all of that said, happy belated 99th birthday, grand mom, and in less than two weeks, GO (for #2) BIRDS!
p.s. — You have work to do Flyers! Get a ‘ship in my lifetime, PLEASE!
