02/14/23 It wasn’t just that the Chiefs won. It was the way they did it. – Radically Rational

02/14/23 It wasn’t just that the Chiefs won. It was the way they did it.

I picked the Eagles 30-27, so I obviously thought this would be a very close game and that a Chiefs victory would by no means surprise me. Kansas City had the league’s MVP at quarterback in Patrick Mahomes as well as the NFL’s most creative play- designer and play-caller in Andy Reid. And since the Chiefs were making their third Super Bowl appearance in three years, they figured to be more comfortable in the dizzying environment.

All that proved to be true and decisive.

No shock that K.C. won. But I was floored by the WAY the Chiefs won. Philly figured to have the deeper, more versatile and more physical roster, on both sides of the ball.

And what happened? The Chiefs not only beat the Eagles, they beat them up. Again, on both sides of the ball. Kansas City was better at running the ball. Kansas City was better at stopping the run. Kansas City was better at getting after the passer. Kansas City’s special teams were better.

Kansas City was more composed than was Philly.

And ultimately the Chiefs were more adaptable, flexible and displayed a higher football IQ than their opponents’. The Eagles’ secondary went into the game talented and experienced. They exited looking confused and even panicked, particularly on those two key second half red zone TD passes to Toney and Moore, respectively. Reid and Bieniemy essentially called the same play twice, first to the left and then to the right, and the Eagle secondary botched the coverage both times, turning the receiver scot-free. That was the last thing we might have expected from the usually savvy Philly DBs.

It was not the Chiefs’ victory that surprised me. It was the way they got it done.

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Paul's Bio

I clearly have the attention span of your median fruit fly.Look! Airplane!

Sorry. I’m back.

It’s both a curse and a blessing. I’ve never bought this stuff about, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” But I do think that a wide range of life experiences helps us grow as people, and helps us better relate to other people. I’ve been fortunate. And I am beyond grateful.

I show up on time. I go like hell. I’m a good listener. I hold myself accountable. I own my mistakes. And I have a natural and an insatiable curiosity. I’m never afraid to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t. But then I try to find out.

The flip side is I’m a lousy ballroom dancer and my clothes sometimes fit me funny.

Stuff matters to me. I care. But while I take that stuff seriously, I try hard to never take myself seriously. As a result, I have sometimes been told, “Paul, it’s hard to tell when you’re serious and when you’re just having some fun. Which is it? Serious or fun?”

My answer is “yes.” But I think that is a legitimate criticism. I promise I’m going to work on that.

This has been the quickest and strangest half-century I’ve ever experienced. During that period, I’ve been afforded amazing opportunities in news and sports journalism across all platforms. I have taught wonderful students at the high school and collegiate level. Always, I learned more from them than they did from me. I’ve been a high school administrator. I spent ten seasons as a high school varsity football coach. I’ve been an advertising executive. I’ve hosted nationally syndicated television entertainment shows. In maybe the biggest honor I ever received, I was selected by NASA to be “Chet The Astronaut” for the “Land The Shuttle” simulator at Space Center Houston. (All I can say there, is “Do as I say, not as I do.” I put that thing in the Everglades more often than not.) Most recently, I just wrapped up a decade as a television news director, during which time our teams distinguished themselves in holding the powerful accountable, achieving both critical and ratings success.

What does all that mean? It means I am profoundly grateful. It also means I’m ready for “next.” So here we are. Radically Rational. It’s an idea I woke up with in 2017. I scribbled “Radically Rational” on a piece of notebook paper and used a magnet to stick it on our refrigerator. I saw it every day, and it just would not leave me alone.

I am second in charge at Radically Rational, LLC. My wife, Jo (also known as BB), is the president. Clearly, I have failed in my attempt to sleep my way to the top of this organization.

I hope you will learn that I’m loyal as a Labrador. But I will admit that this doggie can bite every now and then. My promise to you? I will show up on time. I will go like hell. I will listen to you earnestly and attentively. I will hold myself accountable. I will never be the least bit hesitant to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t.

But then I’ll try to find out. Let’s do it.