Grit and Guts On the Gridiron - 2

Pittsburgh, hammertown, Chuck Knoll and his boys
established the best Superbowl Era dynasty
with the "Steel Curtain" defense and the "Blonde Bomber" Bradshaw,
a defense disciplined on shrapnel and elite ego,
"Mean Joe Greene" and Jack Lambert, a compulsive punisher with no front teeth
would rather be outlaws than losers on the turf of titles,
Bradshaw, with his bodygaurd Mike Webster
had the fortitude of a Friar and slingshot for an arm,
his two great Wideouts, Stallworth and Swan,
indefatigable, these Receivers were steadfast and hawkish
in the team's double repeat Superbowl victories in the 1970's,
at Wrigley Field George "Papa Bear" Hallas
put marvels of grace and brutal genius in the game
amongst the brick and ivy,
"The Galloping Ghost" made the sport pro
as a wraith with cleets,
the "Kansas Comet" Gale Sayers
was a celestial greyhound with unparalleled periphery, 
Dick Butkus had no nickname
he simply maimed ball carriers, 
a grizzly beast with a healthy hatred for opponents
he won Defensive Player of the year
while being on a last place team in 1969,
Doug Atkins was a Chicago Defensive End that inspired Butkus,
a 6'8 maniac that believed breaking a Blocker's arm was fairplay,
"Iron Mike" Ditka was a bulldozer Tight End
who wouldn't quit upon being hit,
in 1985 Coach Ditka and Buddy Ryan assembled
an absolute juggernaut known as the "Monsters of the Midway"
undeniably unleashing the greatest defense of all time,
Jim McMahon, Walter Payton and crew
brought unflinching attitude,
"Sweetness" could demolish the roadblocks,
perfected the goal line leap
and did the pony strut before delivering his destructive elbow
into the faces of fainthearted Tacklers,
during the '85 playoffs in their lakefront lair
the Giants and L.A. Rams would be trampled
amid the Romanesque colonnades of Soldier's Field,
the crowds expecting domination, 
they beat New York 21-0,
the next week they smashed the rams 23-0
while the Lake Michigan winds wailed fiercely
and the snowfall sugared the triumph,
in Superbowl XX, played at the Louisiana Superdome,
the Bears terrorized,  and pulverized the Patriots,
by halftime, New England had achieved -19 total offensive yards
and a weak 3 points while Chicago had scored 23 points,
in the 3rd quater of the storm
William "The Refrigerator" Perry, a Defensive Tackle weighing 300 pounds
ravaged the arrogant goal line defense of the Patriots
to score the most explosive rushing touchdown ever,
in the 4th quater the Bear's backup defensive line
took down the Pat's Passer in the endzone for a two point Safety
putting fangs into their victims,
the final score was 46-10,
Da Bear's defense that day sacked New England 7 times,
allowed only 7 rushing yards,
forced 4 fumbles, and intercepted the ball twice,
an old fashioned mauling with the revolutionary 46 Defense,
this performance was the pinnacle of NFL sport -

J.A.B.

Other Legends -

Brett Favre, possibly the greatest player of all time,
Forrest Greg, Gene Upshaw, Art Shell, Carl Eller,
John Hanna, Anthony Munoz, Earl Campbell, Steve McMichael,
Mike Singletary, Gary Fencik, Dan Hampton,
"Slinggin" Sammy Baugh, Buck Buchanon, Jim Taylor,
Ray Nitscke, Deacon Jones, Merlin Olson, Jim Otto,
George Blanda, Jack Ham, Otto Grahm, Doug Williams,
Barry Sanders, the best runner of all time,
Ray Lewis, Rodger Craig, Jerry Rice, Fran Tarkenton,
Joe Montana, Rodger Staubach, Lance Alworth,
Dick "Night Train" Lane, John Elway, Bob "The Boomer" Brown,
Jack Youngblood,  John "Diesel" Riggins and the Washington "Hogs",
Lawrence Taylor, team owner of the Raiders, Al Davis,
coaches Bill Walsh and Tom Landry - Justin A. Bordner  2016
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016


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Date: 12/11/2016 2:54:00 PM
Hi Justin, Another well written poem on a sport that I know nothing about. But I did like how you crafted this write. Well done. A without a doubt seven:-) Alexis
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Bordner Avatar
Justin Bordner
Date: 12/15/2016 6:19:00 PM
You'll learn all that you need to know about the sport of football through the tutelage of this poem Alexis. Football is very much like lovemaking, there are rules and penalties, talents and techniques, ecstasy and pain...J.A.B.
Date: 11/1/2016 3:49:00 PM
A very triumphant, brazenly and skillfully written piece in tribute to some really dedicated players to the American professional sport of football. The first gritty, exciting section of the poem seems to illustrate how Football used to be as opposed to what it is now.. Is it all for show in this day and age? I'd hardly know but anyway, great composition, Justin. You are a very versatile poet with passions stretching for miles. This was a cool learning experience for me. Always, Laura
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Bordner Avatar
Justin Bordner
Date: 11/2/2016 1:36:00 AM
My passions all have one thing in common...I love them deeply...your views on my poem let me know, that I scored a winning touchdown Poetess...you make me very happy...J.A.B.
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