USA TODAY Sports
Corsair GM Jason Licht has come a long way in seven years with the team. The fact that he survived up to seven years is a small miracle, given the traditional impatience of the team’s property.
Licht not only survived, he also prospered, forming a team that, while playing away Jameis Winston, also caught Tom Brady’s attention. Sprinkle some veterans attracted to the team by the presence of Brady, and the Bucs will have a Super Bowl victory.
With the victory, comes the Lombardi Trophy. Brady surprised football fans everywhere on Wednesday by throwing the trophy from ship to ship during a boat parade on the Hillsborough River. Yes, it was the real trophy. Yes, if the trophy had fallen into the water, it would have dived 24 meters to the bottom. Yes, one or more overworked players may have jumped to retrieve it, which may have become problematic, as these individuals tried to swim back to the surface after realizing that there was no way to catch the thing without a diving tank and fins.
The launch itself created concern for Lorraine Grohs. In a video that was almost as viral as the launch video, Grohs claimed that his father designed the Lombardi Trophy while working as a master goldsmith at Tiffany & Co.
“It really pissed me off that this trophy was disgraced and disrespected being played, like a real football, ”said Grohs. “I haven’t slept in the past two nights because of that, I was really upset. Because I know the passion that this trophy brings. . . . I personally would like an apology, not just for me and my family and the other goldsmiths, but for the fans. “
Licht responded to the clip posted on Twitter with a classic GIF of Stripes.
– Jason Licht (@jasonrlicht) February 14, 2021
While reasonable minds may differ on whether it was reasonably prudent for Brady to throw the trophy between boats (especially since Brady was reasonably drunk), it was a fun time. Furthermore, it is not a sacred idol or religious relic; it is a piece of silver – one of the 55 official Lombardi trophies, and it continues to grow.
The real question is, a year from now, whether the next champions will try to overcome Brady’s maneuver. And if the Bucs win again, will Brady try to throw him further than in 2021?