The memory is still fresh in our minds. A player lays motionless on the field as fans watch in disbelief. A sight so horrific that many cannot bear to watch, and yet, cannot look away. A stadium of enthusiastic fans, painted faces, and cheering voices – suddenly turned silent.

No, I am not talking about Damar Hamlin. He’s doing great!

I am talking about Georgia’s 65-7 drubbing over TCU in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday night.

Actually, it wasn’t just one player laying motionless on the field, it was an entire TCU secondary that seemed motionless. The defensive line did a lot of standing and watching as well. And talk about a lack of movement – The Georgia Bulldogs outgained the TCU Horned Frogs by 233…IN THE FIRST HALF ALONE!

With the victory, the Bulldogs and coach Kirby Smart won the first back-to-back Championships since the Alabama Crimson Tide (2011, 2012), and TCU’s Cinderella season came to an end – way before midnight.

TCU shouldn’t have to endure any jokes after a magical season, a Heisman Trophy candidate in Max Duggan, and a win over second-ranked Michigan in the CFP Semifinal. But 65-7?

Maybe just a few.

• TCU – Try Catching Up.
• Against Georgia, TCU stood for – Team Could Use a touchdown.
• After scoring just seven points, TCU stood for – They Covered the Under.
• Television ratings couldn’t have been good as TCU stood for – Turned Channel Ur-ley.
• Allowing 589 yards of total offense to the Bulldogs, TCU apparently stood for – Tackling Causes Urinary tract infections.
• Looks like TCU stood for – Team Could Use a few more SEC transfers.
• TCU – Total Cinderella Unravelling.

Poor taste in jokes aside, the recovery of Damar Hamlin has been nothing short of a true miracle. Nine minutes without a heartbeat, resuscitated by team and medical professionals, critical condition in a Cincinnati hospital, and now he’s posting Instagram shots on the road to recovery.

The man almost died on the football field. You want a game with a magical fairytale ending? Damar Hamlin just gave it to you.

• The Buffalo Bills (13-3) start their NFL playoffs with the number two-ranked offense, the number six-ranked defense, Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, and potential home field advantage throughout most of the playoffs depending on how Cincinnati and Kansas City perform.

If they only had a story to motivate them.

With the NFL Playoffs beginning, I refer back to my Quarterback Super Bowl Theory that states that, with very few exceptions, you must have a Hall of Fame caliber quarterback to win the whole thing – as determined by the Football Gods.

• Although most of the Super Bowl Trophies have the names of Brady, Manning, Montana, and Bradshaw on them. Trent Dilfer (2000), Brad Johnson (2002), and Nick Foles (2017) all won Super Bowls as well. Kirk Cousin – So you’re telling me there’s a chance.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 01: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)

• Brock Purdy could be the next Disney movie to be made. The San Francisco quarterback was Mr. Irrelevant, the last player taken in the 2022 NFL draft. Forced to play due to injuries, the rookie has the 49ers on an eight-game winning streak. Purdy could be a late-round find like Tom Brady, or another gem out-of-nowhere like Kurt Warner.

But keep in mind that the names of losing quarterbacks of Super Bowls include Rex Grossman, Jake Delhomme, Matt Hasselbeck, Chris Chandler, Neil O’Donnell, Stan Humphries, Tony Eason, David Woodley, Vince Ferragamo, and Kerry Collins. I’m Purdy sure that this list is more fitting.

• Lamar Jackson – Is he injured? Or just tapering?

• Gino Smith may have made the Pro Bowl, Pete Carroll may win Coach of the Year, and both men did make the playoffs…

But since the Broncos knocked off the Chargers last Sunday, they only receive our FIFTH overall pick in the first-round of the next draft, not the fourth. Who is laughing now?

• I’m still trying to decide if Denver’s 31-28 victory over the Chargers gives me hope for next season…or false hope for next season.

• Are the Broncos really thinking about hiring Jim Harbaugh? Harbaugh was thoroughly outcoached by TCU in the CFB Playoffs. Then TCU lost by 58 a game later.

• The Pittsburgh Steelers lost 7 of their first 10 games, Mitch Trubisky was the starting quarterback, and the team still finished with a winning record. Mike Tomlin should be the Coach of the Year.

• Have you ever seen the Friend’s episode in which Brad Pitt started an “I Hate Rachel Green” fan club? Well, the “I Hate Josh McDaniels” fan club is growing fast – and Derek Carr’s membership is paid in full.

• How big is the coaching Karma train when Josh McDaniels and the Raiders go 6-11, Bill Belichick misses the playoffs, Kliff Kingsbury gets fired after signing a contract extension in March, and Houston fires Lovie Smith after he costs them the first overall pick in the draft by going for two and WINNING the final game.

I love me some Lovie.

Images via ncaa.com, yahoocanada.com, ninernoise.com, usatoday.com, sportsillustrated.com

Alan Tapley The Athletic Supporter

Alan Tapley is an educator, author, and blogger who has lived just outside of Boulder for the last twenty years.  His published work includes two novels, two children’s books, a series of cartoons in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, and multiple sports related articles. His love for family and the state of Colorado is only matched by one thing, his passion for sports.  The first baseball game he ever attended was at Wrigley Field, before there were lights.  At the final Bronco game at the old Mile High, he allegedly cut out a piece of his seat in the South stands.  But regardless of being here for the Avalanche’s last Stanley Cup, the Rockies only World Series appearance, and all the Broncos’ Super Bowl Victories, his wife never fails to remind him that he wasn’t at the University of Colorado in 1990, like she was.  The year the Buffs football team won the National Championship