Thrusty Thursday: Super Bowl XLV Edition

It's another first! Thrusty Thursday's got its very first guest curator this week. My Twitter buddy Missy Ann Tx begged me to do a topical football edition, and since the Pats are already out and therefore Super Bowl XLV is dead to me, I said, do it yourself. So she did! Lucky thing, too, as otherwise I probably would have done a Superb Owl edition and featured some supposedly foxy ornithologist. But instead you've been spared, and it is my great pleasure to present this week's thrustees, as nominated by Missy Ann…

Thrusty Thursday: Packers vs. Steelers

Perhaps more accurately, Clay Matthews vs. Mike Tomlin, Missy Ann's picks for the finest man-specimens from each team. Linebacker against coach! An alpha male showdown between brawn and brain. Rumble!

If you're behind on your foo'ball this season, as I am, Missy Ann has kindly provided some highlights. We'll start with Clay Matthews, of the Packers. Missy Ann calls him "Six feet, three inches, and 255 pounds of oh-my-goodness linebacker. He brings to mind all those old-school Fabio romance covers. His family is certainly doing something right—his father and uncle both had long pro careers and his cousin Kevin Matthews plays for the Titans. Congrats to all the Matthews ladies, you've done good work." She's right about the hair. Check those flowing romance locks!

"Now my Steelers pick—go Steelers!" (Despite the Tx in her name, Missy Ann is a Pittsburgh gal.) "Nope, not Troy Polamalu. My lucky Steel City thrustee is the ultimate alpha, Mike Tomlin. There's just something about a man who's always in charge. Solid as a mountain and as steady, too. A man those younger, stronger, and wealthier respect and defer to. Oh yes, Mike is the man the Old Spice and Dos Equis dudes aspire to be."

I have to admit, I'm not much for blonds, so Tomlin probably gets my vote as well…just look at his thoughtful expression! And yet I have a collective crush on the Packers, the only community-owned, non-profit team in any of the major American sports franchises. Rock on, Green Bay! Oh, choices. The thrustability of a man is comprised of so many factors… I'm stumped, so let's take it to the polls!

And so we did. The poll I created in the original post resulted in Matthews winning with 60% of the vote. His team then went on to win Super Bowl XLV. Which makes me wonder…could thrustability be directly related to Super Bowl performace? Predictive, even? I guess I'll just have to try this again next year and see what happens!

Also, if you have a thrustee you'd like to nominate for an upcoming Thursday, don't hesitate to e-mail me with your suggestion.