Unsung heroes

If you watched the Super Bowl last night, you're likely still reeling from the miraculous Manning-Tyree hookup in the improbable final drive. Lord knows I am. But you may not have noticed the calm contribution of one person, someone whose name I don't even know.

When the Pats turned the ball over with one second left, the game appeared to be over. Throngs of people stormed the field, as the officials tried to clear a path for the Giants to take their final knee and officially end the game.

But one guy (or gal) couldn't be fooled. He kept his eye on the clock and his finger over the button, keenly aware that there was still one entirely inconsequential play to go. And after Manning knelt down to run out the last second of regulation, this consummate professional dispatched his duties at exactly the right time, not a moment too soon.

I'm talking, of course, about the confetti cannon guy. Way to go, buddy. Where the entire Stanford marching band famously failed some 25 years ago, you triumphed. I hope you get a beer commercial.

ps. Check out Andy's posts about the Super Bowl commercials, where you'll learn, among other things, that I forced him to watch the disappointing Danica Patrick web ad (there should be a federal law against welshing on boob-related promises), and that he sucks at predicting final scores.