Whatever Happened to "May the Best Team Win"?

As Super Bowl 44 XLIV approaches, I'm finding it fascinating listening to people picking sides.

The truth is that neither the Saints nor the Colts have much of fan base outside their regional areas.  Sure, there are fans of each team all over the world, but not large pockets of Super Fans like you have for teams like Dallas or New England.

But we Americans like choosing sides.  It's part of the game.  I have more than one relative that will intentionally pick the team that is the least popular in the room if for no other reason than to antagonize everyone else.  I respect that.

I love to hear people argue which defense is better, is Payton Manning overrated and Drew Brees underrated, who's got the better offensive line (that one, to me, is the mark of those who really understand the game:  if your O-line is awful, it doesn't matter who you have behind them; if you don't believe me, go back and watch the Saints-Vikings game again).

But I've got no tolerance for the "Saints should win because of Hurricane Katrina" argument.

The time for sympathizing with those that have endured disaster is at that moment (in this case over 4 1/2 years ago); the moment to give aid is constant.   But to say that one city is more deserving of a sports victory because of the public pain they've endured is to all at once minimize any pain felt in the other town and to add undo emphasis to what, as great as it may be, is just a game.

Does anyone truly think that Indianapolis and her citizens are without trial and difficulty?  Anyone look at the economy lately?

California is bankrupt and flooding, and no one made the case that the Chargers should be favored over the Jets.  Green Bay is the only team not carrying any debt, and no one argued that their financial Good Sense entitled them to a win over Arizona.

If you have a favorite team, root for that.  If you don't care that much about either team, and can't find a football related reason to justify whom you pick, and you don't have an uncle you want to tweak because he's a huge fan of XYZ team, then at least have the Sports Decency to say "May the Better Team Win".

May the referring be honest.  May the players be free from serious injury.  May each individual do his best.

In business we see so many entities use laws or the government to give themselves an unsportsman-like advantage over the competition.  We the consumer lose when some board (typically made up of the "competition") shuts down a legitimate business, claiming it's for the public welfare or safety, rather than they themselves becoming better at what they do.

Dentists shutting down cosmetologists that do teeth whitening . . . architects clamping down on drafting shops . . . lawyers afraid of legal counseling services . . . banks and automakers that turn to government for bailouts because they made horrific business decisions . . .

I say:  May the Best Team Win.