Dears:
It just dawned on me today that the Super Bowl this year is something of a "Mary vs. Carmie" game!
The Arizona Cardinals are playing the Pittsburgh Steelers. Let's see, for which team shall I root? Actually, the Steelers are my second favorite NFL team (after the Bears); but Arizona has Kurt Warner at quarterback. (Warner played football at my alma mater, the Univ. of Northern Iowa.)
As tough as it is, I think I'm pulling for Arizona (and Warner). Sorry, Carm. But look at it this way: the Steelers already have something like five Super Bowl trophies. The Cardinals haven't ever even been close to getting to the big game.
Anyway, church is a lot more exciting on Sunday, than any game (even a baseball game!).
Love to you all.
Mark
Mary wrote:
Amen, brother! Go Cards! xoxoxox
:)
Allen wrote:
I've got to go for the Cardinals now! Their fullback is Tim Castile. A Bama Grad! Go Mary! http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/1233393341292240.xml&coll=2
Mark wrote:
Oh man, the poor Steelers! Who do they have? Let's see, I just did a cursory glance at the two teams' rosters. . . .
Pittsburgh has THREE Alabama players, and one Iowa player.
Arizona has TWO Northern Iowa players (believe it, or not!), and one each from Alabama and Iowa.
I think this gives the Cardinals the edge!
Mark
Carmel wrote:
Hello Family,
I don't like how this is going!.........where's the love? ....:)
On a side note, I just talked to Nickie Woodson...Rod made the Football Hall of Fame! How cool is that?! Plus he's going in as a STEELER....the same Steelers who are going to CAGE those BIRDS and WIN the Super Bowl!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ha! So there.
xoxoC
PS: I still love you, Mark, but I must say, I'm deeply disappointed in you right now. ;0
Mark wrote:
I know, Carm, I know. It's tough for me not to root for your Steelers. But look at this with some compassion. Consider this . . .
1) When people hear "Cardinals," they immediately think of the St. Louis (baseball) Cardinals. The owners of the Arizona football team were too dumb to realize that there probably isn't a cardinal bird anywhere within 500 miles of Phoenix. (Arizona's state bird is something like the desert wren.)
2) The Steelers have everything going for them: the best football fans, the fact that the Univ. of Iowa's football uniform looks exactly like theirs; and the five trophies (I referenced earlier).
3) If it were not for our Northern Iowa hero (Kurt Warner), the Arizona Cardinals would still be the doormat of the NFL.
Therefore, in a spirit of love and compassion, let us hope that the Cardinals (misnamed that they are) will WIN! What are their odds? Not very good.
Carm, don't be too greedy!
Tons of love from a temporarily deserting Steelers fan, who is . . .
Your brother,
Mark
xo
Gabrielle wrote:
We all need to forget about those 'Bama players...and realize that THREE Auburn Tigers will be reppin' it at the SUPERBOWL!!! 2/3 = Cardinals!!!" LB Karlos Dansby and DB Roderick Hood of the Cardinals and OG Kendall Simmons of the Steelers."
WOO!!
:)
SO THERE, ALLEN!
Mark wrote:
That's great, Gabrielle! How could Allen forget that you are an Auburn Wareagle gal??
Love,
Uncle Mark
Mary wrote:
Yes, Carmie....have a heart!
Congratulations to Rod, though. That's awesome news!
xoxo
James wrote:
My two cents.
Born and raised in Arizona, I can say the number of true Arizona fans numbers in the thousands, possibly the tens of thousands at best. It has not been bad because of bad luck, but because of woeful mismanagement on the part of the Bidwill owners that they have been so bad for so long. Some grievous examples of their extreme incompetence include:
1. They charge players to $25 "rent" footballs to play with their kids on off days.
2. Players do not get free jerseys or free equipment, but the Bidwills nickel and dime them on these as well.
3. Players strive hard to leave the Arizona Cardinals and have done so since they were in St. Louis. Whenever a player achieves, they leave as soon as possible. Even Anquan Boldin, the number 2 receiver there, is striving to leave next year even if they WIN a Super Bowl! Now, is this because people don't want to LIVE in Arizona? Absolutely not - as evidenced by the continued attractiveness of the desert for the Suns and Diamondbacks. Rather, it is the ownership and incompetence of the organization that steals them away.
4. Despite severe mismanagement, the Bidwills hoodwinked the AZ taxpayer out of hundreds of millions of dollars for a stadium that looks like a spaceship and has an unnecessarily expensive dome. Sure, it's hot when games start in September, but cmon, they play 8 home games a year! The Fiesta Bowl and BCS are no excuse either, since they occur in January when the weather is beautiful. Other teams play in freezing snow or slog through muddy fields; is a dome for a little heat really that necessary? Well, the AZ taxpayer has no choice but to think so.
Also, I should point out why the Cardinals are good this year? Two words: Ken Whisenhunt. Where did he come from? The Steelers. No coincidence.
In sum, a Super Bowl win for the Cardinals is bad for many reasons. First, it solidifies the Bidwill dynasty as legitimately competent managers which is patently untrue. Second, it would be largely a fluke result of a flawed NFL playoff system, whereby a 9-7 regular season team would win the Super Bowl while an 11-5 NE Patriots team didn't even make the playoffs.
GO STEELERS!
James
P.S. There actually are cardinals (the bird) in Arizona, but certainly they are not as frequent as they are in the Midwest!
Carmel wrote:
Now here's a young man who makes a lot of sense.
Plus he's my godson:))
xoC
ps Also remember that the Steelers had the toughest schedule of any team in the NFL. They DESERVE to win. And, Mark, I'm NOT being greedy...I was in Alaska surrounded by Seahawks fans the last time we won...so that last one doesn't count.
GO STEELERS!!!
Lynette wrote:
THIS IS SO FUN!
THANKS, FAMILY, FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT, THUS FAR:)
Carmel wrote:
Wish you were here Lynette! (dressed just like me in your black and gold Polamalu jersey, of course!):))) xoC
James wrote:
Oh Polamalu is the greatest - how about his INT return for a TD two weeks ago...classic!
Unfortunately, I did not bring any Steelers gear here to Peru. Also, I will be surrounded by Cardinals fans (of the rooting for the underdog / supporters of Kurt Warner type - as I mentioned earlier there is no such thing as a real Cardinals fan).
Let's go, Carmel!
James
Lynette wrote:
TEE HEE! You all are hysterical:-D
Mary wrote:
More glory would have gone to God, if Kurk Warner had been able to speak to the world stage on behalf of Christianity. But, our congrats go out to James' and Carmie's Steelers' victory :)
James wrote:
Thanks - P.S. Big Ben is a Christian too...
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=22543
Mary wrote:
Ok, James...Congratulations again. Good night all :)
Mark wrote:
OK, gang, I'm finally chiming in. I was sicker than a dog yesterday, and missed BOTH Sunday services. (This has never happened--where I ever missed even one service--in over 20 years.) At any rate, mercifully, I feel better today.
But I watched most of the game. I have to hand it to the Steelers: I thought the Cardinals had it won. The play at the end of the first half sealed the Cards' fate.
Carmie, congratulate Rod Woodson on his hall of fame election. That's great! Also, I was glad to see Rod give the Steelers the AFC trophy, after they won it two weeks ago. (If there were any hatchets, it looks like they've been buried.)
I still think Kurt Warner is cool; and I hope he makes the hall of fame.
I couldn't really lose yesterday, because I *really do* like the Steelers; but I was pulling for Arizona. (Although, after what James said, it would be a shame for the Bidwells to get a trophy.)
Baseball season starts in less than two months. WAHOO!
Love to you all.
Mark
Lyn wrote:
Oh, Mark, that is so horrible! You must have been very sick to miss your special Sunday. I'm so sorry. And I pray you will soon be all better.
Much love, Lyn
Mark wrote:
Thank-you, Lyn. It was tough; but it reminded me of how sweet Sunday church worship really is. Our elders stepped in and did a great job.
Love you, Lyn.
Mark
Lesley wrote:
I loved the bantering back-and-forth over the Super Bowl. Let's do it again!
Love,
Les
Lyn wrote:
I agree, Les!
Mark wrote:
Actually one of the funniest emails sent came from Gabrielle. She only sent it to me (maybe by accident); but it expressed frustration at all the hoopla over the Univ. of Alabama players (on the Steelers and the Cardinals). Gabrielle was bragging about the AUBURN players. She took you to task, Allen!
MJH
Mom wrote:
I HAVE TO GET IN MY THOUGHTS, EVEN THOUGH AS MARY WOULD SAY I AM A DAY LATE.... BUT I WAS TORN BECAUSE I KNEW WHO CARM WANTED AND I ALSO KNEW WHO MARY WANTED. I ALSO REMEMBERED THAT I HAD MY PICTURE TAKEN WITH ROD WOODSON IN FRONT OF THE GLASS ENCORSURE HOLDING FOUR STEELER SILVER FOOTBALLS FROM THE DAYS OF CHUCK NOLL. I THINK THAT WAS HIS NAME. ANYHOW, THE CAMERA WAS STOLEN FROM CARM;S HOUSE BEFORE THE PICS GOT DEVELOPED. ROD WOODSON WAS ALSO IN THE PICTURE AND HE HAD HIS ARM AROUND ME. I CRINGE WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE HUGE PICTURE I COULD HAVE HAD HUNG IN MY KITCHEN TO RELIEVE HUMDRUM DISHWASHER LOADING, ETC.
SISTER EV SAID SHE HAD TO LEAVE THE ROOM WHEN THE CARDINALS GOT THE LEAD. I STUCK WITH IT AND PRAYED OUTLOUD AND STEADY. I SAY BRENDA WARNER AND I KNEW SHE WAS IN HIGH GEAR STORMING HEAVEN. I WAS WRINGING MY HANDS AND HAVE TO ADMIT, I BECAME A CARDINAL FAN BIG TIME. THE TRUTH CAME OUT, ALTHOUGH I HAD NOT FULLY ADMITTED IT EVEN TO MYSELF PRIOR TO THAT MOMENT.
I LOVE READING THE BANTERING AND CLEVER COMMENTS BETWEEN YOU SIBS. YOU ARE ALL SO SMART AND CLEVER AND DIPLOMATIC, BEING TORN AS YOU WERE WITH THE BURDEN OF ONE SISTER BEING SORROW STRICKEN NO MATTER THE WINNER. JAMES: I DO APPRECIATE KNOWING THAT THE CARDINAL OWNERS ARE BUMS AND GOT WHAT THEY DESERVED, BUT KURT WOULD HAVE HAD A PULPIT BIG TIME AND HE WOULD HAVE MADE THE MOST OF IT. HOWEVER, I IT IS TRUE THAT THE STEELERS HAVE MANY CHRISTIANS IN THEIR RANKSGOODNIGHT NOW TOTHE MOST CLEVER KIDS ANY MOTHER COULD ASK FOR. YOU DO ME PROUD. LOVE ALWAYS, MOM
Mary wrote:
All,
I have always loved to root for underdog teams, like the Suns, Cubs and Cards. That preference has made it hard for me to ever embrace teams like the Spurs, Yankees, Lakers, and Celtics.
To root for the Steelers (who kind of "dissed" Rod Woodson a while back :( ), and who now have a record 6 Super Bowl trophies, just feels a little "un-Henninger-like ish" to me.
But, they did win fair and square (except for that Steeler who face punched that Card player several times!) just proved to us all that life isn't "fair" ..... and so it is :)
I would have loved to be able to hear Kurt proclaim his faith to the whole world, but I guess it wasn't meant to be :(
Well, maybe this year the Cubs, Suns, and Cards will win championships and the world economy will recover.... Yah, RIGHT!!!
Still my congratulations go out to you Steeler fans.
Much love from us Arizona folk...
Mary and Co. xoxoxo. :)
Mark wrote:
Wait a minute, Mary. What is this about the "Cubs"???? Didn't I lead you correctly, when it came to baseball??? Please, don't tell me: you are NOT a Cubs fan!!! This would make Carmie's angst about my rooting for Arizona in the Super Bowl of no consequence!!
Please, Mary, certainly you ARE a baseball Cardinals (and I may grant, Diamondbacks) fan. But please, tell me: you are NOT a Cubs fan!!!
The world may stop spinning if this assertion is not made, and fast. Mary, you know the Cubs--the team that hasn't won a World Series in over a hundred years! (Harry Caray himself wasn't born, when they last won. I'm not sure electricity was being used.)
Oh, the anguish of it all, to even imagine that you could be a CUBS fan! This is entirely TOO much to handle.
I can grant you this, Mary--I know the Cubs do their Spring Training in Scottsdale. Maybe you have met some nice Cubs players. (I think you know Ryne Sandberg.) But even THEY would NEVER urge you to leave your good senses, by abandoning the St. Louis Cardinals (the only *true* "Cardinals"), to become a Cubs fan.
If it is actually true, I guarantee I will still love you. I simply won't be able to understand.
Oh, the angst!!!
Mark
Lyn wrote:
Ooops, Mary! Did you slip up a bit there? ;-)
Mark wrote:
No kidding, Mary!
I couldn't sleep. (Maybe I'm too worked up over this.)
Here's all you have to do, Mary: get some hard shoes on; go into your kitchen; click your heels three times; and slowly say (three times): "I am not a Cubs fan. I am not a Cubs fan. I am not a Cubs fan."
This process worked for Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, and I think it can work for you!
Remember: you do NOT want to commit Henninger family heresy (by rooting for the Cubs)!
Love,
Mark
Gabrielle wrote:
Oh Uncle Mark, don't worry - Mommy just roots for the underdogs that's what she's saying! The world can continue to spin!!!
The Cardinals have the second longest "drought" in sports, only second to the Cubs in regards to winning a national championship.
On another note...I don't know if my mom told y'all (HA!! I'M IN THE SOUTH NOW!!) but Kurt Warner is truly a good guy. He has raised his children extremely well. As a lot of you saw in Guys and Dolls, I've done plays with Jesse (oldest daughter, 2nd child) for three years in high school and that girl has CLEARLY had an amazing upbringing and an incredible relationship with her father. While most of these sports players fill their driveways with expensive vehicles, the Warner driveway is filled with toy trucks and bouncy balls! Instead of a trophies and plaques covering the walls, Kurt has crosses covering the walls. His children, especially Jesse, have that "Christian spirit" that glows from them, but have the amazing ability to NOT make people feel judged by them in anyway.
I really really wanted the Cardinals to win, regardless of my childhood loving the Woodson's and the Steelers. I guess you could say I'm a Warner fan more than a Cardinals fan (I'm not going to lie, I TOTALLY jumped right on the Card's bandwagon this year) just like I was a Woodson fan more than I was a Steelers fan.
Regardless, it was an amazing game. The Card's set the Super Bowl record for the most penalty yards, but they also made history. In their 20 years in Arizona, they had one winning season in 1998 and then when to the Super Bowl 10 years later!!
It's situations like this that keep me (and most of the WORLD) loving sports and their stories year after year. Sometimes seasons end with me crying and so bad (Spurs vs. Suns 2007...still can't talk about it) other seasons end where I can really say, GOOD JOB to both teams.
I love my family, and I love that we can stay in touch a little this way! Have a great week, and GO SPORTS!! :)
Loooove,
Gabrielle
Mark wrote:
Wow, Gabrielle--you really have the Henninger penchant for writing ability. You're amazing!
Thanks for comforting my heart regarding your mother's (undoubtedly) accidental (yet inexplicable) slip-up. I'm sure she'll repent, once she sees these emails.
Sports are great. They tend to unite people. But love has its limits; and brotherly affection can only be called upon to go *so* far. The very thought that the beloved Mary could actually *BE* a Cubs fan is just too much to fathom. I'm sure this is all a figment of our collective imaginations.
Thanks for putting my mind to rest. Maybe now I can go to sleep!
Love,
Mark
Carmel wrote:
My dearest brother Mark,
Just so you know, I am NOT a Cubs fan.
Much love from your (still) adoring sister,
Carmel
Mark wrote:
Oh, this IS a relief, Carmie! It may spur Mary on to bigger and better things! Thanks for starting my day off on the right foot!
Love,
Mark
Amy wrote:
Okay, everyone, I have 2 things to say... THIS is why I love my family so much! AND, (listen for Dad's voice here...) you are all just like me and you are all RIGHT!!! ;)
(See Mom's influence here...) LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Amy
P.S. OK, 3 things... Gabrielle, Uncle Mark is right you DO "have a way with the English language!!" I am soooo proud of you!
Steve and Amy
Mark wrote:
This is a good point, Amy. I am sorely tempted to bring the heavyweight (Dad) in on this discussion. If Mary does not soundly renounce her potential high treason (of being a Cubs fan), we may have to go to the nth degree, and call in Dad. After all, it really was *Dad* who started our St. Louis Cardinals hysteria, back in the mid '60's.
Look at it this way, (and I'm trying to give Mary an "out"): it is one thing to root for an underdog, it is an *evil* thing to root for a fierce rival. In sports, rivalry is everything.
Just ask Gabrielle. Does *she* love Alabama football? I don't think so--she goes to Auburn.
In baseball, the Cubs fans hate the Cardinals. The Cardinals fans, being of a better nature, only highly-loathe the Cubs. The Red Sox/Yankees rivalry is almost a war. The Dodgers/Giants rivalry is mean.
In the NFL, the Steelers and the Browns can't stand each other.
Mary *may*, with allowance, compassionately hope something *good* might happen to the Cubs. (I confess: I hope something good happens to them, for my many long-suffering Cub fan friends.) But this must NEVER devolve into actually *being* a Cubs fan.
If Mary *is* a Cubs fan, I failed her miserably in my youth.
May her best angels come to the fore; and save the day for us all.
Love,
Mark
Amy wrote:
This may be the time for sackcloth & ashes, Bog! Mixing sports here, dare I say, "Go Packers!" or "Go Brett Favre!?", but Never, Ever "Go Cubs!" ( And remember, I wasn't even around in the '60's!)
Luv, A
Steve and Amy
Mark wrote:
Oh, Amy, the cudos are lining up for you. Isn't this great: sisters have an easy way to up their collective ante, at the expense of Mary's (certainly accidental) misstep?!
Love.
Mark
PS: I forgot: the Bears and the Packers despise each other!
Mary wrote:
Hey Everyone,
Be nice...remember, I'm fragile! And...I am NOT a Cubs "fan"!
All I meant by that comment was that if the Cubs were in the World Series, playing, say...the Yankees, that even though I know ex-Yankee players, I would still root for the Cubs. Out of a sense of Christian love, mercy, and compassion...wouldn't you? :) Ha ha...you all are hilarious.
Many thanks to little Miss Gabrielle, for defending her Mommy!! :) You know me so well, honey...thanks!
Much love to all you crazy sports fans. I bet those "Norway Breviks" think we're insane!
Mark wrote:
OK, we can all finally breathe a collective sigh of relief. You all have heard it from Mary's own pen--she is NOT a Cubs fan. Her soul is safe, indeed!
Don't worry, Mary: if the Cubs were playing the Yankees in the World Series, I would pull for the Cubs, too. It is only decent human kindness and compassion, borne out of sympathy for suffering (Cubs) fans that would demand this of us.
Oh, we can go through the rest of the day in peace.
Wahoo for Mary!
Love,
Mark
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