a nod to the national holiday

2-4-2010—[The low average weight of the Colts’ defense] stands out: The Colts defense is also shorter, on average, than the starters from all but one other team. .. The Colts’ defense allowed the eighth fewest points in the NFL this regular season and, more impressively, showed the ability to stiffen in the late stages of games—when the players would have every reason to be exhausted. ... The Colts’ success stems from a philosophy that borders on treason in the modern NFL: the idea that bigger is not always better. ... By carrying less mass, the Colts believe their players are quicker to the ball and less fatigued late in games....Some studies have shown that mental fatigue hinders decision-making.—WSJ D9

--Long ago, then-NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle figured out this greatest of all human truths, that the only value most people have in common, other than life itself, is the desire for a competitive home team. Family members who would sink a dinner fork into each other over Barack Obama’s health care plan will do high fives in the living room later if the Cleveland Browns beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. ... Basketball and hockey [do the same as football, i.e., TV revenue sharing] Baseball has not, and it is well established that Chicago Cubs fans do not believe happiness exists. WSJ A17