May 31, 1983 - this is the last time we had a champion in Philadelphia. It was so long ago, that many of us hadn’t entered kindergarten yet. Our city can stake the claim to one title; biggest losers. When a team appears to be on the doorstep of greatness, Joe Jurevicious races 72 yards down the field. When it seems all the stars are aligned for us after a magical 4th and 26 play, Ricky Manning Jr. brings us back down to Earth. When a team like the Flyers shows more heart and determination than any team in recent memory, we see one of our teams fall to  ANOTHER Florida team, this time the Tampa Bay Lightning. When we experience a dream-season like we did in 2001 with the Sixers, we are awoken to the nightmare of the L.A. Lakers celebrating a championship on our home court.  When the best Eagles team in a quarter century propels towards the Lombardi trophy, the defense falters in the 4th quarter to Brady, Bellichick and company.

We are a tortured city who expects reality to rear its ugly head. The Smarty Jones triple crown run epitomized our sport teams.  He was on the doorstep of greatness and lost it at the very end by one length.  G. Cobb has coined the term “Negadelphia.” Is there any wonder why our town is so negative when there is a litany of disappointments? Championship runs in this town are like horror movies. We know what will portend when the girl goes into that room. Only this is no movie, it's our miserable history. We are fed up with saying “there's always next season.”  We are fed up with being left at the alter time and time again. What else is there for us to do than to purge our frustration?