It’s Official: Aqib Talib Is a Cult Hero
After a great win Sunday night in Atlanta, Patriots fans woke up to some bad news this morning: Vince Wilfork tore his achilles tendon and will be out for the year. Big old lovable Vince has, of course, long been a fan favorite and, most likely, the Patriots’ best defensive player. It will be nearly impossible for the Patriots to replace him on the field. But what about in fans’ hearts? The void will be, uhm, large (sorry), but I think we’ve found our man: Aqib Talib.
Coming into last night’s game, the Pats’ star corner had all the makings of a cult hero. It started with 98.5 The Sports Hub morning hosts Toucher and Rich’s virtuoso mashup of a Talib preseason interview with Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines,” and has only grown as he’s excelled on the field early in the season. Talib took it to another level last night, shutting down the Falcons’ vaunted receivers. On top of a 4th quarter interception, Talib made the key play of the game, sealing the victory by batting away a would-be Matt Ryan touchdown pass on 4th and 7, with time running out in the fourth and the Pats up by 7. Even better than the play, though, was his reaction when he came over to the bench. This gif, courtesy of Bleacher Report:
And, of course, the internet being the internet…
Regal Aqib Talib pic.twitter.com/u9s5QnGikU
— The Nosebleeds (@TheNosebleeds) September 30, 2013
@LBSports @jose3030 boom. http://t.co/bdYjyCPRY7
— themba (@themba) September 30, 2013
OK, THIS is the greatest Talib face ever. Thanks to @bleacherreport . pic.twitter.com/Y505GzQJ72
— Toucher and Rich (@Toucherandrich) September 30, 2013
Really, though, my favorite Talib moment from last night came at the end of LeGarrette Blount’s big 47 yard touchdown run, early in the 4th quarter. Watch carefully around the 24 second mark. Is that our man Talib running all the way down the sideline to do a celebratory chicken dance? Yes! That’s our man Talib running all the way down the sideline to do a celebratory chicken dance. Like I said, Aqib Talib: cult hero.
