The quarterback in football truly is important. It varies from time to time within a given situation, however, few should doubt the axiom after observing Tom Brady’s leadership at Tampa Bay this year to lead the franchise to its first playoff game since 2007. The Bucs will be in the Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 7 against defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City. Last season KC QB Patrick Mahomes dazzled the National Football League world by leading his team to the Super Bowl championship in 2020.
We will let forecasters figure out the favorite, however, given the situation nobody should be ready to see either quarterback as unable to lead his team to the championship. Each quarterback has great natural ability, however, it is hard work, continually, which helped them lift their teams to championships. Fans see the game product. Leadership on the practice field and in locker-room situations separate the champions from other teams. Tampa Bay is in its 11th season in the playoffs after starting in the National Football League in 1976.
• It is good to know that Division III college basketball has started, however, looming in the background, continually, is the COVID-19 infection. The University of Illinois in Division I, had its game last weekend postponed against Michigan State in a Big Ten game. It was the third consecutive postponed game for Michigan State. Such considerations had to be a part of the Division III calculations. Both the CCIW (College Conference of Illinois) and the NAAC (Northern Athletics Conference) are in their first days and all hands must be washed and on deck to keep COVID at bay,
Aurora University’s men will play only two regular-season games at home, among the scheduled eight games. Aurora will play host to Benedictine University both Friday, February 12, 7 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 13, 5 p.m.. The Aurora University women will play home games Friday, Jan. 29, Saturday, Jan. 30, Friday, Feb. 5, Saturday, Feb. 6, Friday, Feb. 19, and Saturday, Feb. 20. It is unlikely fans will be admitted to the games, however, at least games are on!