the '72 dolphins just don't get it

The 1972 Miami Dolphins are the last (and only) NFL team to win every game in an NFL season. Every year they root for current NFL teams to lose so their record stays in tact. They have an annual tradition of getting together for a party and popping champagne corks to celebrate when the last undefeated NFL team falls each season.

This season it's looking more and more like the New England Patriots could, indeed, run the table. And so the '72 Phins are rooting hard against them.

I think they're missing the boat. Wrong approach, if you ask me. See, I think they should be cheering for the Pats to do it. Why would you ever, really, root against someone else's success? In their case, it's just so they can keep feeling superior to everyone else. To me, the 72 team doesn't paint themselves in a very good light. They come off as petty and mean-spirited.

What if they did this: what if they cheered for the Patriots to break the record? What if they took the approach of we want to see someone else enjoy the kind of success we enjoyed? What if they actually offered to help the Patriots in any way they could...advice, motivation, etc.? What if they did that? If they did, I think they'd be more remembered for their generosity and kindness than just the fact that they were a great football team. My question to them: Do you want to be remembered more as a great person or just a great football player?

I hope I'm able to avoid the place where I'm pulling for others to fail. Let's be people who help others succeed. Let's be people who try to find ways to move the ball further down the field than we've been able to move it.