[revrew]

The hullabaloo leading up to that SuperBowl was one of the loudest and grandest in NFL history. Some in the media dismissed Davis' comments from earlier as being "blown out of proportion" and poked fun at the Rebels vs. the Patriots, calling it a "North vs. South, Blue vs. Gray all over again." T-shirts were made up on both sides, all in good fun since everybody knows, "We're all past that by now."

But apparently not everyone knew it. Others declared the entire thing an outrage. There were some who tried to return to the "golden days" of villifying white Southerners and Confederates as rednecks and racists. The point struggled to gain much momentum, however, since the focal point of their villification was Jeffrey Davis...who, needless to say, was black himself. That didn't stop some glory hounds in congress and Hollywood from boycotting the SuperBowl and making grand fools of themselves. (In my opinion, politicians and movie stars really are experts at doing just that).

For most of the country, it was like watching a Civil War reenactment. Most folks cheered for the Patriots, while only those that took the time to read something besides spin-doctored high school history books looked with any favor on the scarlet and gray. For those whose grandfathers and great grandfathers died in the original Civil War, there was a twinge of sadness and honor in the proceedings, but most considered it a fun jaunt into reliving the past.

Leading up to the game, Keaton Graves was working feverishly to keep Jeffrey Davis out of the spotlight. The once golden-tongued champion of the "New Black America" had definitely fallen out of favor, besmirching the NFL with his Southerner plot the way Pete Rose besmirched baseball with his gambling. NFL purists looked upon Davis with disdain, the way they looked upon designated hitters in the 70s or interleague play in the 90s. In their eyes, Davis had somehow profaned the great institution of football and needed to be summarily dismissed, if not beheaded for his offense.

The average fan, however, picked up the Patriot blue or Rebel gray and cheered for his or her geographical persuasion. Sports bars across America took sides as "Patriot Outposts" or "Rebel hideouts." Davis thought it was the fulfillment of every dream and grand scheme he had ever hatched. It was good thing Graves kept him out of the spotlight, for his diabolical need to monologue the twisted brilliance of his was out of control:

"At last! An opportunity to prove our cause on a national stage, no an INTERnational stage, some 100 million people watching, as the Confederate army rises again to take her place among the victorious of the world! To right what was wronged, to avenge Atlanta, and to give peace to our fathers and forefathers who gave their lives defending our Southern homeland from the hordes of Northern aggression. Rise up, O sons of the South, and set her free!"

On and on he raved; but thanks to Keaton Graves, he raved behind closed doors. The day would come, however, when Graves wouldn't be able to contain Davis any longer.