Bigger than the Bowl

1991.

We, as a nation, had just declared war on another country for the first time in decades.

And Americans were on edge.

Parents had children overseas fighting, in harms way. We hadn't ever fought a true "desert" war. Some analysts were predicting that we could lose 30,000 men and women.

I was 21 years old. And I distinctly remember sittin up nights with my best friend, talking about the possibility that if we did have heavy casualties, there could be a draft.

A bit dramatic, sure. But neither of us had been around for Vietnam, and when there is the "possibility" at least of bein called to service, you DO think about it.

And I'm gonna tell you right now, when a bunch of guys got together at my house to watch the Bowl that year, we all by the end of this song were in a deafening silent stupor. It was a very powerful moment for me.

Whitney Houston's perfect rendition of this song, in three minutes, calmed an entire nation, and galvanized fears. You could FEEL the pride of bein an American in a room of 22 year old dudes. It was amazing.

And I knew then, I'd be on the first plane out to wipe some mother fuckers out.

It truly was one of those moments in my life I'll never forget.

That's how powerful this woman was on that night.