James White’s retirement brings fresh ridicule for Falcons Super Bowl collapse

James White announced his retirement earlier this week and predictably this news was used to throw shots at the Atlanta Falcons Super Bowl collapse. White was an integral part of the Patriots’ comeback scoring the game-winning touchdown (are we sure he crossed that goalline?) and predictably this led to a new wave of 28-3 memes and jokes Atlanta has become all too accustomed to.

To be clear it was an absolute choke that deserves to be remembered as such. However, it is worth pointing out that both the Texans and Chiefs suffered similar playoff collapses over the last decade and little is made of them in comparison.

Deshaun Watson and the Texans were up 24-0 on Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs and eventually not only let the playoff game slip away but let it fall out of hand altogether. The Chiefs were on the wrong end of another collapse as well losing a 2014 playoff game to the Colts after going up 38-10 in the third quarter.  The Chiefs would eventually lose this game 45-44 in an all-time great comeback attempt.

The point here isn’t to explain away what was obviously an all-time choke job from Atlanta. But to point out that this exact situation has happened in the league in playoff games without the GOAT Tom Brady standing on the opposing sideline.

Atlanta isn’t the only team to suffer an unforgettable collapse but somehow seems to be the only team the narrative continues to stick with. How many 24-0 jokes have consistently been thrown the Texans’ way despite their equal collapse to an opponent that isn’t Brady?

While the disparity in score may not have been nearly the same New Orleans has choked in the playoffs twice against the Vikings in recent memory once to Case Keenum and another against Kirk Cousins. While the score disparity is the obvious difference the point here remains, it is time to officially retire 28-3 memes and jokes alongside James White.

Atlanta fans have become numb to them enduring losing season after losing season. The team has a history of losing Falcons fans are well aware of this fact that they are forced to face nearly every season.

Continuing to bring up the team’s worst moment is simply lazy and inconsistent. It is a media trope that has long been tired.  It is time to remember it for what it was a great season for the Atlanta Falcons that did end with one of Tom Brady’s greatest accomplishments. The Falcons were far from the first team to put together an all-time collapse and there is no question they won’t be the last.