Everything stinks. Everybody is a fraud. Nothing makes sense.
The refrains of anger and negativity sweeping across our country in recent months have threatened to turn America into the land of the fury and home of the bitter.
Then Monday night happens. A fearless college kid throws a touchdown pass in the final ticks of a four-month season to upset a giant opponent and win a national championship.
A coach collapses in joy on the field. Strangers dance in each other’s arms. The fearless college kid weeps.
Yet again, just when it seems like we are being swallowed by our own cynical misery, a nation is witness to true drama, real emotion, and the absolute truth found in the glow of a scoreboard.
With Clemson’s final breath of a 35-31 win over Alabama in college football’s title game, sports once again saved us from ourselves.
Did you see it? Did you occasionally gasp at the outrageousness of it all? Did you talk about the game Tuesday morning with folks at work, about its man-child heroes, its eternal lessons, talk that streamed refreshing light into a room darkened by political and cultural morass?
Riding an elevator at the office, I was addressed by a coworker who was marveling about the game — not as a fan, but as an observer of the human condition found within its four quarters. I asked what he thought it all meant. As he exited the elevator and walked in a different direction, he said, simply, “Hope.”
It was, indeed, about the hope that this country is still grounded in the notion that great achievements can be accomplished by unity, great moments created without bluster, and that there are trophies that cannot be bought.
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Clemson players celebrate after defeating Alabama, 35-31, in the College Football Playoff national championship game. (Chris O’Meara / Associated Press)
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Clemson cornerback Cordrea Tankersley celebrates afterthe Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide, 35-31, to win the College Football Playoff national championship game. (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)
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Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney celebrates with linebacker Ben Boulware during the award ceremony after the Tigers defeated Alabama, 35-31, in the College Football Playoff national title game.
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Clemson players celebrate during the award ceremony after defeating Alabama, 35-31, in the College Football Playoff national championship game. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
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Clemson linebacker Ben Boulware kisses the championship trophy during the College Football Playoff award ceremony.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press) 6/47
Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney talks to quarterback Deshaun Watson after winning the College Football Playoff national championship game over Alabama, 35-31. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
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Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is congratulated by Alabama Coach Nick Saban after the Tigers’ 35-31 victory over the Crimson Tide.
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Clemson player celebrate along the sideline after quarterback Deshaun Watson (not pictured) threw a two-yard touchdown pass with one second left to receiver Hunter Renfrow (not pictured).
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Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson celebrates after throwing a two-yard pass to Hunter Renfrow for the winning touchdown in the College Football Playoff title game.
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Clemson receiver Hunter Renfrow celebrates with teammate Jordan Leggett (16) after catching the game-winning touchdown pass against Alabama.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press) 11/47
Clemson receiver Hunter Renfrow catches a two-yard touchdown pass against Alabama’s Tony Brown during the final seconds of the fourth quarter to give the Tigers a 35-31 lead.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press) 12/47
Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) celebrates with teammates after rushing for a 30-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter.
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Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts breaks into the clear for a 30-yard touchdown run to give the Crimson Tide a 31-28 lead over Clemson during the fourth quarter.
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Clemson running back Wayne Gallman (9) plunges for a one-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter to give the Tigers their first lead over Alabama, 28-24.
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Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson leaps over Alabama defensive back Ronnie Harrison to get to the one-yard line during the fourth quarter.
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Clemson receiver Mike Williams catches a pass in front of Alabama defensive back Marlon Humphrey during the fourth quarter.
(Chris O’Meara / Associated Press) 17/47
Clemson receiver Mike Williams (7) celebrates with tight end Jordan Leggett (16) after scoring a four-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter.
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Clemson receiver Mike Williams makes a four-yard touchdown reception during the fourth quarter to cut Alabama’s lead to 24-21.
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Alabama tight end O.J. Howard runs free down the left sideline on a 68-yard scoring pass play during the third quarter to give the Crimson Tide a 24-14 lead.
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Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is sent flying by a hit from Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster, left, during the third quarter.
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Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster (10) sends Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson spinning into the air with a big hit during the third quarter. (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
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Clemson receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) is congratulated by teammate Deon Cain (8) after catching a 24-yard touchdown pass during the third quarter.
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Clemson receiver Hunter Renfrow breaks away from two Alabama defender on a 24-yard scoring pass play during the third quarter.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press) 24/47
Clemson linebacker Ben Boulware breaks up a pass intended for Alabama receiver ArDarius Stewart during the third quarter.
(John Bazemore / Associated Press) 25/47
Alabama kicker Adam Griffith watches his 27-yard field goal that gave the Crimson Tide a 17-14 lead in the third quarter.
(Chris O’Meara / Associated Press) 26/47
Alabama linebacker Ryan Anderson recovers a fumble he forced by stripping the ball from Clemson running back Wayne Gallman (not pictured) during the third quarter.
(Chris O’Meara / Associated Press) 27/47
Alabama linebacker Ryan Anderson (22) strips the ball from Clemson running back Wayne Gallman (9) during the third quarter.
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Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates with teammate Christian Wilkins (42) after rushing for an eight-yard touchdown during the second quarter.
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Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson gets into the end zone on an eight-yard run during the College Football Playoff national championship game in Tampa, Fla., on Jan. 9
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Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson slips down the sideline past an Alabama defender for an eight-yard scoring run durng the second quarter.
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Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough crosses the goal line for a 37-yard touchdown run against Clemson during the second quarter.
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Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough eludes Clemson safety VAn Smith (23) to break free for a 37-yard touchdown run during the second quarter.
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Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts picks up yardage against the Clemson defense during the second quarter.
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Clemson linebacker Ben Boulware celebrates with a teammate after stopping Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough for no gain during the second quarter.
(Chris O’Meara / Associated Press) 35/47
Alabama receiver Calvin Ridley tip-toes down the sideline after getting hit by Clemson defenders during the second quarter.
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Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts prepares to pass against Clemson during the first quarter.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press) 37/47
Alabama defensive back Ronnie Harrison pursues Clemson running back Wayne Gallman during the first quarter.
(John Bazemore / Associated Press) 38/47
Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson throws to the flat against Alabama during the first quarter.
(Chris O’Meara / Associated Press) 39/47
Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney argues a call during the first quarter.
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Clemson safety Tanner Muse partially blocks the punt of Alabama’s JK Scott during the first quarter.
(John Bazemore / Associated Press) 41/47
Clemson running back Wayne Gallman is brought down by Alabama defensive back Tony Brown (left) during a fourth-down run that came up short in the first quarter.
(John Bazemore / Associated Press) 42/47
Alabama defensive back Anthony Averett brings down Clemson receiver Mike Williams after a reception during the first quarter.
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Alabama defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne celebrates after tackling quarterback Deshaun Watson during the first quarter.
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Alabama defensive linemen Da’Ron Payne (94) and Jonathan Allen (93) tackle Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson during the first quarter Monday. (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
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Alabama Coach Nick Saban congratulates Bo Scarbrough after his touchdown run during the first quarter.
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Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough is congratulated by teammates ArDarius Stewart (13) and Hale Hentges (84) after scoring on a 25-yard run during the first quarter Monday. (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
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Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough beats the Clemson defense for a 25-yard touchdown run during the first quarter.
(Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images) For all its imperfections, sports works. Its athletes are flesh, its scores are final, and, when it performs like it did in the past year, its magic is unmatched.
During that period, maybe the greatest stretch in the history of American athletics, four major sports championships were each decided in final moments heavy with history, teeming with drama, and filled with that hope.
Begin nine months ago on another Monday night, the first one of April, when Villanova defeated North Carolina, 77-74, on a three-pointer by Kris Jenkins at the buzzer for the men’s college basketball championship.
The Tar Heels had just tied the score on their own three-pointer, by Marcus Paige. Villanova had five seconds to win it. Ryan Arcidiacono dribbled upcourt and flipped the ball behind to Jenkins, who threw it up as time expired.
“Bang,” cool Villanova Coach Jay Wright said from the sidelines as the ball soared toward the rim.
Boom went the college basketball world, as the shot swished and Villanova stormed the floor, smothering Jenkins while colorful streamers rained upon them in celebration of the Wildcats’ first title in 31 years.
“They said we couldn’t, they said we couldn’t, they said we couldn’t,” Jenkins later shouted.
Real stuff. Human stuff. And it was just the start.
A couple of months later, the Cleveland Cavaliers fulfilled LeBron James’ promise to bring a championship to his home region by defeating the Golden State Warriors to win one of the most compelling Finals in NBA history.
The Cavaliers became the first major sports champion from Cleveland in 52 years. They were the first team to win an NBA Finals after trailing three games to one. And they did it with a knuckle-biting 93-89 win in Game 7 at Oakland.
Remember it? They won the game in the final two minutes with James blocking the potential go-ahead layup by Andre Iguodala, then Kyrie Irving hitting the game-winning three-pointer in the final minute.
It was such a monumental game that back in Washington, D.C., President Obama refused to leave Air Force One at the conclusion of a trip until he could watch the final moments on television. It held such meaning that afterward, the rich and famous James fell to the gym floor and cried.
“I’m coming home with what I said I was going to do,” James said, because sports is one place where, through effort and will, promises can still be kept.
Those two events were merely opening acts for the greatest sports drama of the year, in the first week of November, when the Chicago Cubs ended sports’ longest title drought with their first World Series championship in 108 years.
They didn’t just win it, they seized it with what some people believe was the most riveting game in baseball history, a 10-inning, 8-7 Game 7 victory over the Cleveland Indians that occurred after a three-run Indians comeback and a 17-minute rain delay.
During the delay, in a tiny weight room underneath Cleveland’s Progressive Field, Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward gave his team a speech that left some players in tears. The Cubs came to the plate at the start of the first extra inning, scored twice on a double by Ben Zobrist and a single by Miguel Montero, then held on in the bottom of the 10th for the win.
The lasting images were not of the Cubs bouncing around the middle of the diamond, but of thousands of celebrating fans dancing in the streets of Chicago, singing “Go Cubs Go.”
“This one about made me pass out,” Zobrist said afterward.
Once again, at its best, sports wasn’t about sports, but about the human spirit, and how witnessing and participating in this spirit can strengthen the resilience of humanity.
Four major championships, four final games, four closing minutes, four last stretches that beat the clock and barged into history. Oh yeah, and don’t forget the Sparks winning the WNBA title over the Minnesota Lynx with Nneka Ogwumike scoring the winning basket with 3.1 seconds remaining for a 77-76 victory in the final game of a best-of-five championship series.
Sports continues to save us, again and again, most recently Monday night, when Clemson drove down the field in the final two minutes and toppled the Alabama dynasty with a two-yard touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson to Hunter Renfrow with one second — one second! — remaining on the clock.
“You can’t make this up,” Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney said.
No need. Not in sports. It’s the opus that makes us stronger, the miracle we can still believe.
bill.plaschke@latimes.com
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