The last part of Richard Wagner’s opera “Der Ring des Nibelungen” (Ring of the Nibelung) is titled “Götterdämmerung” (Twilight of the Gods). In it, the Valkyrie, Brünnhilde, a rather voluptuous lady, sings her aria to end the opera, even as she rides into flames.
Hence the saying, “It ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings”.
The German word “Götterdämmerung” is a translation of “Ragnarök” (old Norse), which in Scandinavian mythology refers to the destruction of the Gods in a battle with evil, resulting in apocalypse!
For any Falcon’s fan, it feels like Apocalypse now!
Let’s rewind to February 8, 2008. Superbowl XLII. The undefeated New England Patriots were playing the 12-pont underdog New York Giants. It was the 4th quarter and the Patriots were up by 4 with 75 seconds to go. The Giants had the ball on their 40-yard line for a third-and-five. Eli Manning, the Giants quarterback, avoided a sack and floated the ball to Tyree who made an improbable catch against his helmet for the first down. The Giants went on to win. It was an improbable upset!
Just before the ball was snapped by the Giants on the third-and-five, the Patriots players (who already thought they had the game won) were talking smack to the Giants players on the field. They were so sure of their win, they even invited the Giants to their after-game party! They had forgotten one important lesson in sports:
It ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings!
The Falcons were up 21-3 at the half. Somehow, they relaxed. They lost their fire. Sure the Patriots played better in the second half but did the Falcons have to play worse? Did they forget the cardinal law in sports? Did they forget “It ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings”?
That is a lesson Brady hardly ever forgets. Sure, his team forgot that in 2008 but in his 16 year career with the Patriots, this has not happened often. It is an unfortunate human tendency to get complacent and let one’s guard down when victory is nigh. Brady has this uncanny ability to recognize this weakness in his opponents and exploit it quite well. He did tonight and has done it all through his career.
Also, he was picked in the 6th round in the 2000 draft. He has the mentality of an underdog. Underdogs pick their chances and never ever give up because they know it’s never over till the fat lady sings.
Events this past year or so seem to drum this lesson home – Cleveland pulling the upset over Golden State, Brexit, the Cubs win, Trump and now this. In my home country Ghana, 72-year-old Nana Akufo-Addo’s landslide win in this past December elections fits in this category too.
For the winners as well as the losers, the lesson is clear:
It ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings!
However it is like all of humanity is being taught this one important lesson – DO NOT GIVE UP! Do not give up on peace, love and empathy. Do not give up on this earth, on one another, on making things better for all. Do not give up on fighting bigotry, racism, poverty, disease, inequality and homelessness. It is like humanity is being told to fight and keep fighting, even if things look so dark and bleak.
Then, the fat lady hasn’t sang yet and as long as that hasn’t happened, we as humanity have one more play to win it all.
DO NOT GIVE UP!