The Sims Stereco saved their best for last in 2002. After starting the season an unimpressive 3-6, the Stereco buckled down and won their last four regular season games to make the playoffs as the fifth seed. On the heels of winning consecutive playoff games — the first in franchise history — by a combined six points, Sims left no doubt as to who would be League Champion, crushing Jody's C.W.O.T. by 22 in Super Bowl VI.

Amani Toomer make his second of three Super Bowl VI touchdown grabs.

Receiver Amani Toomer was the hero of the day for Sims, hauling in a season-high 204 receiving yards and three touchdowns to earn MVP honors. "I'm just so happy for this team, and especially for our fans," Toomer said upon being presented with the MVP trophy. "To be part of something like this is incredible."

What's more incredible is that Sims' chances of victory seemed to take a huge hit right before the game. Terrell Owens, who had been playing through pain with a groin injury, couldn't make it through warm-ups and was scratched from the lineup. This development wasn't lost upon the C.W.O.T. defense:

"Once we noticed that T.O. was on the sideline and wasn't coming in, we focused more on stopping the run," C.W.O.T. linebacker Zach Thomas said after the game. "And I think we did a good job of that, particularly in the first half. But I take my hat off to Mike [Vick] and Amani. They really took advantage of our aggressiveness."

Indeed, first-overall pick Michael Vick, who had made a name for himself all year with his scrambling ability, torched the C.W.O.T. with his arm. Aside from connecting with Toomer for a touchdown in each of the first three quarters, Vick laced a bullet to Keyshawn Johnson late in the fourth for a game-sealing TD. "I mean, yeah, it's everything you could want. Getting drafted first overall and then winning a Super Bowl in the same year is gonna be pretty hard to beat."

Apparently what isn't hard to beat is the Colossal Waste of Time on the league's grandest stage. For the third time in three appearances, Jody fails to win the Super Bowl. The C.W.O.T. finish the year with a league-high eleven wins to only five losses, but will have only the ninth-overall draft pick to show for it. The only bright spot in an otherwise dreary offensive effort for Jody was the performance of Eddie George.

George has five TDs in his last two Super Bowls, but is still looking for that first ring.

Making his third Super Bowl appearance for the Pewter and Black, George punished the Stereco defensive line in the first half, racking up over sixty yards and two touchdowns. Yet with the deficit growing in the second half (Jody never led during the game), George's offensive role diminished as former-Stereco quarterback Aaron Brooks tried to rally the team through the air.

"Heck yeah, it's tough to take," ripped an obviously frustrated George after the game. "We fight all season to get here and then to lay an egg like that is extremely disappointing. And you can only say 'Maybe next year' so many times, you know?"

Back over in the winning locker room, it's still too early for the Champs to reflect on how incredible this late-season Stereco run truly is. For a team to win seven straight, especially with the last five of those being away from home, is remarkable. Moreover, five of those seven wins were against teams seeded higher than them in the playoffs. This is a team of weekly heroes, with the likes of Vick, Williams, Owens, and now Toomer, seemingly single handedly carrying the Red and Gold to victory.

Congratulations Sims Stereco -- 2002 FLF Champions!

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