Wussification

History was made last night. It seems innocuous enough unless you are an older fan like me. Then you remember the "Frozen Tundra" of Green Bay in the 1967 Ice Bowl NFC playoff game. Who can forget Vince Lombardi prowling the sideline and the goal line stand as Ray Nitchzke dug into the icy ground trying to anchor himself against the charging line of the Dallas Cowboys. Men were men and history was made then.

Now they play indoors except for a few places like Green Bay and Chicago. Even in warmer climes they play inside so that the fans can enjoy air conditioned comfort. That works until the pretty little air-supported roof comes crashing down with the weight of a snow storm as it did last month in Minnesota or gets ripped asunder as it did in New Orleans during Katrina.

But for most real old-time fans, football is a fall/winter game and that means it gets played in ice and snow when necessary...at least until last night. That's when history was again made in Philadelphia.

NFL Game Cancelled Because of Snow Yet Unfallen

Yes, the accumulation eventually came, but at game time last night there was only an inch or two on the ground. What does this mean for the future?

This season the Tuesday game means a short interval for two teams until the season finale game next week. For Minnesota it doesn't matter, but for Phillie it definitely does. For future years it means that a precedent has been set. Too much rain or snow or cold or heat in the forecast? Let's finagle the schedule.

Oh, and at the bottom line, all future franchise discussions will hinge upon the availability of a properly built hard-dome stadium with temperature control, heated surface parking lots and year round comfort assured for all players. College stadiums will have to follow suit in order to protect their fans, avoid litigation, and nurture the next crop of pampered millionaire athletes. Where will we get a future Rayfield Wright, Bob Lilly, Forrest Gregg or Bart Starr? My God, even Lance "Bambi" Rentzel played in the cold.