Some “points” heavy and light regarding a missed, “crucial” three points

I truly do not want to make things worse for Minnesota Vikings’ kicker Blair Walsh, who missed on a crucial field goal attempt, manifesting in a Seattle Seahawks’ win over the Vikings in their wild card round game.

Some points light and perhaps heavy.

I was sickened when NBC broadcaster Al Michaels not only mentioned Scott Norwood, by name, as having missed the “win or lose” (the) Super Bowl winning kick for the Buffalo Bills vs the New York Giants, but did so without offering the fact that it was a difficult field goal to make, to say the least.

The criticism of Ralph Branca in a sports sense is somewhat justified, he threw a pitch on which Bobby Thomson connected for a home run that transformed a 2 run New York Giants’ deficit into a pennant victory which capped an incredible comeback. I can add more, but will not.

I will not cite a certain Red Sox first baseman by name, but will state he was a near great hitter and his error on a fairly tough play, did not end the team’s chances in that 1986 World Series.

The abuse he has endured just from lazy, uninformed sportscasters, who do not give anywhere near the full story of the game and series, is unconscionable!

Norwood truly deserves almost no blame even in a sports sense. Sure it would have been nice to have made that sports sense “crucial” field goal, but it was a 48 or so yard attempt, on grass. Not Easy!

Michaels, who only has to call and not kick these field goals uses the Vin Scully method (yes the great, untouchable Vin Scully, who never is criticized is so far behind on his crucial calls using a “safety first” method that is not what sportscasters are there to do) of “safety first” and is far too late on his indications.

Lighter note: The name Blair Walsh evokes the fictional name, “Beverly Hills 90210” character Brandon Walsh.

“Brandon” was originally from Minnesota and a Vikings’ fan.

My heart goes out to Vikings’ fans, real and fictional, those who sat in the cold Sunday only to lose on Walsh’s miss and do not forget over rated Adrian Peterson’s fumble and those who did not.

Heavy or more important thought: Heartfelt empathy, not just sympathy, to those who “thought” the Vikings would win outright and not just cover the point spread.

The wonderful Arnold Wexler and people at Gambler’s Anonymous are always available, even more so when things like this happen!

Actor Jason Priestley above portrayed “Brandon Walsh” on the television show “Beverly Hills 90210” That Los Angeles area zip code would include so many fans of the great, but not beyond criticism, broadcaster of Dodgers’ baseball, Vin Scully.