Game 28: Woodrow Wilson vs. Super Bowl XXVIII
Every so often in life, there occurs an unfathomable coincidence that makes you say: "uh, ok."
Here we go: In 1913, Thomas Woodrow Wilson becomes the 28th President of the United States. That same year, Thomas E. Wilson, a completely separate person, becomes president of a Chicago meatpacking company called Morris & Co. That same year, 1913, sees the formation of Ashland Manufacturing Co., a business created to market the by-products of slaughterhouses. Stay with me. In 1915, Thomas E. Wilson is appointed president of Ashland, and by 1931 the business's name is changed to the Wilson Sporting Goods Co. After World War II, Wilson himself works with football great Knute Rockne to develop a football made from the finest leather, with lock-stitch seams and triple lining. The Wilson ball eventually is adopted by the National Football League and used, among other places, to play Super Bowl XXVIII in 1994.
Flashback to 1918, while Woodrow Wilson serving his second term: somewhere else completely Ralph J. Wilson Jr. is born. After World War II, Ralph Wilson forms Wilson Industries and later buys into the fledgling American Football League, becoming owner of the Buffalo Bills. By 1994 the Bills have lost three consecutive Super Bowls and are heading into their fourth in a row. That's right, Super Bowl XXVIII, a rematch against the Dallas Cowboys. Get that ball ready.
Flashback to Woodrow Wilson. He gets off to a quick start. In 1913 he creates the Federal Reserve System. He strengthens antitrust laws and sets up a graduated income tax. Then war breaks out in Europe in 1914, and though no one realizes it at first, it's World War I. By the time the U.S. gets involved in 1917, it's almost done. Wilson seeks to create a League of Nations to ensure world peace, but he won't compromise on the details, and the U.S. never joins it. That fumble sets up the ultimate rematch: World War II.
The Bills got off to a quick start, too. In the first quarter, kicker Steve Christie hit a 54-yard field goal -- a Super Bowl record. An 80-yard touchdown drive put the Bills ahead 10-6, and an interception led to a FG that had Buffalo on top 13-6 at the half. Then the war gods raged and Buffalo faltered. Less than a minute into the second half, Dallas took a Thurman Thomas fumble in for a game-tying TD. The rout was on. The Cowboys won 30-13, and the Bills became the only team in pro sports history to lose four straight championship games. After that the Bills were not in Super Bowls again. Thankfully. You might say that, in President Wilson's words, the AFC side of the Super Bowl was once again "safe for democracy." But this one was was really no contest. The Presidents claim victory in this match.
Score after this match: Presidents 16, Super Bowls 12
Go to next match.
Here we go: In 1913, Thomas Woodrow Wilson becomes the 28th President of the United States. That same year, Thomas E. Wilson, a completely separate person, becomes president of a Chicago meatpacking company called Morris & Co. That same year, 1913, sees the formation of Ashland Manufacturing Co., a business created to market the by-products of slaughterhouses. Stay with me. In 1915, Thomas E. Wilson is appointed president of Ashland, and by 1931 the business's name is changed to the Wilson Sporting Goods Co. After World War II, Wilson himself works with football great Knute Rockne to develop a football made from the finest leather, with lock-stitch seams and triple lining. The Wilson ball eventually is adopted by the National Football League and used, among other places, to play Super Bowl XXVIII in 1994.
Flashback to 1918, while Woodrow Wilson serving his second term: somewhere else completely Ralph J. Wilson Jr. is born. After World War II, Ralph Wilson forms Wilson Industries and later buys into the fledgling American Football League, becoming owner of the Buffalo Bills. By 1994 the Bills have lost three consecutive Super Bowls and are heading into their fourth in a row. That's right, Super Bowl XXVIII, a rematch against the Dallas Cowboys. Get that ball ready.
Flashback to Woodrow Wilson. He gets off to a quick start. In 1913 he creates the Federal Reserve System. He strengthens antitrust laws and sets up a graduated income tax. Then war breaks out in Europe in 1914, and though no one realizes it at first, it's World War I. By the time the U.S. gets involved in 1917, it's almost done. Wilson seeks to create a League of Nations to ensure world peace, but he won't compromise on the details, and the U.S. never joins it. That fumble sets up the ultimate rematch: World War II.
The Bills got off to a quick start, too. In the first quarter, kicker Steve Christie hit a 54-yard field goal -- a Super Bowl record. An 80-yard touchdown drive put the Bills ahead 10-6, and an interception led to a FG that had Buffalo on top 13-6 at the half. Then the war gods raged and Buffalo faltered. Less than a minute into the second half, Dallas took a Thurman Thomas fumble in for a game-tying TD. The rout was on. The Cowboys won 30-13, and the Bills became the only team in pro sports history to lose four straight championship games. After that the Bills were not in Super Bowls again. Thankfully. You might say that, in President Wilson's words, the AFC side of the Super Bowl was once again "safe for democracy." But this one was was really no contest. The Presidents claim victory in this match.
Score after this match: Presidents 16, Super Bowls 12
Go to next match.
click for full scorecard
2 Comments:
Wasn't Wilson re-elected in 1916?
You are right, thanks. I've adjusted the game report!
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