Lest We Forget. . .

I have to admit it's been both awkward and maddening to hear somebody besides the Patriots referred to as "Super Bowl Champions." Every time I hear someone talk about the World Champion Steelers, I get sick to my stomach. It might still have something to do with what transpired the night of January 14th. I think it's worth repeating:

• On a long pass play, Asante Samuel was interfered with by Broncos receiver Ashley Lelie, but still managed to make a spectacular play and beat him to the spot, all while looking back towards the ball. For this, after an excruciating 5 second pause, he was penalized 39 yards. 7-3 Denver.
• Denver added a 50 yard field goal before the end of the half, but video footage clearly shows George Foster jumping up from his position two seconds early. Normally, this would be a false start. Not on that night. 10-3 Broncos.
• Champ Bailey intercepts a Brady pass and returns it to the one yard line, where he is hit by Ben Watson. He fumbles the ball inside the one and the ball travels to the back of the 10 yard endzone. It seems, and I'm referencing both common sense and physics here, that if the ball traveled eleven yards, it must have traveled through the endzone. Unless Champ unveiled his screwball, for the ball to have gone out of bounds at the one, he would have had to fumble the ball directly sideways. He didn't. It landed 11 yards diagonally in front of him. Belichick challenged. Call stood. 17-6 Denver.
  
• Still trailing 17-6, the Patriots forced a punt. The Patriots feign an all-out block, but Troy Brown retreats and gets under the kick. He clearly calls for a fair catch by waving his arm in the air. He bobbles the ball and immediately is hit by Broncos' gunner Todd DeVoe. The Broncos recover the fumble and the game is all but over. However, the NFL rule book clearly states that, if a player signals for a fair catch, he cannot be interfered with until the ball hits the ground. This includes bobbling the ball. The ball was still being bobbled by Brown when he was drilled by DeVoe.
  
• Logically, since the officials blew the call, Belichick should have challenged the aforementioned play. With replay, a penalty would have been assessed and the Patriots would have had the ball, good field position, and momentum. Belichick didn't challenge the play though. He couldn't. He had already used his two challenges. One was on the Bailey fumble. The other? Early in the second quarter, Jake Plummer had a pass intercepted by Asante Samuel. It was clear to the naked eye that Samuel had both feet in bounds and had possession of the ball. They ruled it incomplete. Belichick had to challenge in order to get the ball. Because Belichick had to waste the challenge on such an easy play to call, the Brown play stood and the game was over.
  

Maybe this is sour grapes. Maybe it is just a "coincidence" that all of the Broncos points were scored with the help of poor officiating. Maybe the NFL just wanted a new champion.

I'll say this though: If the Steelers had rolled into Foxboro the next week, I doubt I'd have a sick feeling everytime I hear Chris Berman use the words "World Champs."