“DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?”
Forty years ago today on a Friday afternoon, the U.S.
Olympic Men’s Hockey Team beat the heavily favored juggernaut from the then
U.S.S.R. It is hard to put this event into perspective today. It was absolutely
MIND-BLOWING in 1980. Many since have
scoffed that it was only a hockey game – who cares?
For what it’s worth, I did. And still do.
The so-called “Miracle on Ice” was more than just an Olympic
upset. It was an ideological victory over the Soviets in the Cold War, as uplifting
as the Apollo moon landing. The upset came at an auspicious time: Americans
were in dire need of something to take pride in and celebrate. Millions of
Americans spent that Friday night in revelry over the triumph of a bunch of
collegiate athletes over the team full of Russian professional players.
But an equally miraculous thing that took place off the ice,
too. For a few days beginning with this win and two days later after the U.S.
won the Olympic Gold Medal, Americans were united by a pride in their country
that I have rarely, if ever, experienced in my life.
Merriam-Webster’s definition of the word MIRACLE: an
extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment. I wonder if
there could be a confluence of events as profound in these days of the 24 news
cycle, rampant pessimism and political division.
“DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?” Bet yer ass!
