Kia Ora-

God bless you, John Gruden. You are respectable coach and a good human. Thank you for not letting Tampa Bay forget Coach Dungy in every interview you give after a game. You are a great man.

I was having a tough enough time before saying the phrase, 'The Bucs are the NFC Champions.' I have still yet to utter the phrase that is true now. How fucking awesome is that?!? You know, it's been a while since I've lived in a metropolitan area where a team has won a major event. Back in California we all pulled for the Los Angeles Dodgers who won quite a few World Series Championships, and a few years back the Orlando Magic were in the NBA Finals. But this is the HOMETOWN. This is the (to quote Malcolm Glaizer in the Lombardi trophy acceptence speech) 'The TAMPA Buccaneers!' And hearing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl (which this year was superbly performed by the Dixie Chicks--sometime later I'll go into my rant about how the National Anthem should be sung traditionally) and then the announcements of the teams I usually get a bit choked up. And with our local boys in the mix, there was a feeling of nervous nausea and teary-eyed nationalism. It was an incredible feeling for one fan, I can just imagine how it was for the Bucs. This win won't sink in for a while.

The Bucs have the best defense out there, and as many of you know I love defense. Sapp, Brooks, Rice, Barber, Lynch, and all of them remind me so much of my beloved Steel Curtain (said reverently). Truly the gods among men.

And let me say that the coolest thing about the game was that it was the virtally unknown players or critisized player who stepped up and did the most. We all are so familiar with Chuckie, ME-shawn, Martin Automatica, Mr. Derrick Brooks (WHO FUCKING KICKS ASS!!!!), Warren, Brad, The A-Train, Ronde, etc. But who was the MVP? Dexter Jackson. Who had 2 interceptions returns for touchdowns? Dwight Smith. Who broke open the running game for the offense to score? Michael Pittman. Who had 2 touchdown receptions? Keenan McCardell.

No, Keyshawn, winning a Super Bowl doesn't make you a great player--being part of a great team working as a whole unit makes you a great player, and you'd better never forget that.

Being a Tampa resident and having to drive my girlfriend home after the game I figured I'd let you know what the streets are like out there right now (to give you a sense of placement, she lives about 4 blocks east of Raymond James Stadium). The streets are crazy. Before we left, the news said there was a stream of traffic that stretched about 20 miles long and everyone was heading to the stadium (I'm not sure why as the official party isn't until tomorrow night around 7:00pm). Out on the road we kept finding Buccaneer auto flags strewn about from careless drivers so we picked a couple up. Every street corner had a crowd and we would honk and wave the flags. But I realized that it didn't matter what I yelled as they couldn't hear me. So I started answering their 'Go Bucs!' cheers with thins like, 'I'm an idiot, too!', 'Behold the extent of my stupidity!', and 'I love cheese!' I was trying to wave the flag quite a bit as I have a Steelers logo on my Jeep and with the mood out there right now that would be enough to incur some aimless wrath. But it was great fun. We navigated the throngs of idiots and made it to her apartment where the beer bottles were already starting to litter the street. I said goodnight and beat a hasty retreat. Passing one corner I spied that they had already dismantled and thrown a bus bench into the street. More crowds and honking and emergency vehicles speeding off to the west. I did make it home (Steelers emblem intact), but it really has the potential to get scary out there.

It's been an interesting week with EVERYONE wearing some form of Bucs paraphenalia or other. It's this sort of unified hooligan mentality but with none of the aggression. We could have stormed Oakland if we wanted to and kicked total ass. But for each other it's been nothing but love and support and happiness. I honestly think that Tampa residents have a cool head and there should be rejoicing tonight, but I don't rule out some stupidity out among the love. I just pray that everyone has a good time and is safe.

I suppose that the only thing left to say (which I am trying to verify whether it is one of the signs of the Apocalypse) is...

(Well, that and God bless the cameraman who was filming Shania Twain.)

Heart & belief,

-N.