Rich Eisen Correctly Identifies the Most Impactful and Important Play in NFL History

In the course of human events, there are sometimes seemingly small moments that have a profound impact on history:

--In 391, a mob, spurred on by anti-paganism fervor, burned part of the Library of Alexandria. It's been speculated that some of the texts that were lost belonged to Euclid and Aristarchus, included works on science, philosophy and mathmatics, and set civilization back centuries.

--In 1914, a would-be assassin named Gavrilo Princip tried, and failed, to kill Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, go he went and grabbed lunch at the Sarajevo version of Jersey Mike's. Only to walk out the door afterwards to find Ferdinand right in front of him, after his carriage driver took a wrong turn. Princip didn't whiff on his second attempt, setting off The Great War and, eventually, it's even more terrible sequel.

--In 1955, a seamstress named Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, AL bus. The Civil Rights movement was born. A boycott was created. Federal laws were passed. The Constitution itself was amended. A 180 year old nation was transformed.

--In 1985, a Soviet officer named Stanislav Petrov got a warning that the US had fired missiles and the even worse third sequel to World War I was underway. Rather than panic and alert his superiors, he decided to wait for further confirmation. Which came in the form of a system error saying what looked like hot, zizzing, radioactive holocaust was actually just a reflection off some clouds. 

--Hell, 65 million years ago, an asteroid struck the Earth near the Yucatan Peninsula. If it had skipped off the atmosphere or missed the planet altogether, we'd all be speaking Velociraptor. 

But the small event with the biggest impact on the whole trajectory of human history happened 24 years ago yesterday. A slow-moving quarterback was hit with a clean blow from a linebacker as he was attempting to get out of bounds. A few plays later, he had to come out of the game. And the universe has never been the same. 

Rich Eisen did Julian Edelman's podcast this week to discuss Mo Lewis' hit on Drew Bledsoe in that otherwise non-descript, early season game in 2001 between a Jets team that had won nine games the season before and a Patriots team that had won five. If that one was going to be memorable for any reason, it was the return of NFL football to New York after 9/11. With Patriots guard Joe Andruzzi and his brothers from NYFD taking part in the emotional, heart-rending pregame ceremonies.

Instead, it changed everything. 

Here's the entire show, cued up to the 52-minute mark when they discuss the game:

But here's the money shot, in verticals, as the kids say:

Q: "Was this the most impactful play in the history of the National Football Le--"

Eisen [cutting off the question]: "How is it not? … This was just a run-of-the-mill moment. … 'Is this the most important play in the NFL's history?' And I'm saying with everything in the history of the NFL, I did not stutter. I've said 'Yes.'" 

Historians sometimes like to dive into counter-factual arguments. More commonly referred to as "What ifs?" What if British soldier Henry Tandey didn't show mercy to that wounded German corporal in a trench near Marcoing, France, and instead put a bullet through his square mustache or a bayonet through his one testicle? That sort of thing. 

Well the counter-factual on the Mo Lewis hit is a fascinating one to consider. Personally, I think Tom Brady would've become the Patriots starting quarterback eventually.  Yes, Bledsoe had just become the highest paid player in NFL history that offseason. But that contract was signed and negotiated by Patriots VP Andy Wasynczuk  who had the job before Belichick got there and a year before he seized total control over all personnel moves. I think he was becoming frustrated with his QB1, had faith in his backup, and eventually would've made the switch. After all, he did the same thing in Cleveland when he benched local hero Bernie Kosar, despite the fact everyone hated him for it.

But that switch wouldn't have come nearly in time to save the 2001 season. Maybe not even in time to win the Super Bowls in 2003 or '04. Or even his job. And perhaps a later, slightly older version of Brady doesn't get to prove how great he is in clutch situations, the way he did on that final drive agains the Rams. 

Again, it's fascinating to consider. Without Brady coming along when he did, it's very possible a little free Boston-based sports  newspaper never succeeds. And I'm still working in the Massachusetts Court System, counting down the days I can retire on a meager pension. And everyone else at Barstool is working real jobs, God forbid. 

If you believe in the multiverse model of the cosmos, you accept that there are infinite timelines that are created by every event. And we live in the one where Mo Lewis hit Bledsoe at just the right moment with just the right force to create this one. Otherwise known as the best of all possible outcomes. Because Bledsoe fully recovered, has a nice life for himself as a vineyard owner creating top quality wines. We got to see the rise of the greatest player ever to snap on a chin strap. And as Ricky Proehl would say into an NFL Films camera the following February, "Tonight, a Dynasty is born, baby." And he was only off by one team. 

Boston Globe. Getty Images.