But, but, Daddy Rex said we'd win the Super Bowl!!?!?! When you're told you're daddy's special little boy long and often enough, then you believe it and when you fail you figure out which of your brothers held you back.
I'll add to the chorus of plaudits. Will certainly send an email/tweet to #longreads and hope that this ends up on the shortlist for Best Sportswriting of 2011. Really fine work. Grantland should be envious, btw.