The Loyola-Chicago Ramblers broke Sister Jean’s bracket

The Loyola-Chicago Ramblers knocked off Nevada last night to keep an improbable tournament run alive. They broke Sister Jean’s bracket as they did it.

The last time I can remember a team putting together a run this improbable and this captivating, their Sister Jean played quarterback and was named Tim Tebow.

The 2011 Broncos’ late season run with Tebow was beyond anything I’ve ever seen in sports. The last four minutes of the every fourth quarter, game after improbable game for six straight weeks, is still the most riveting TV series I’ve ever watched. I’d hoped it would be longer and I wasn’t wild about the finale but the way it ended doesn’t change what it was as it was happening.

The same can be said for Loyola’s run — it’s lasted three games so far and beyond the fourth tomorrow night, we’ll have to watch and see. There are no possible scenarios that involve Tom Brady, thankfully. However it plays out from here, Loyola’s 2018 run has already cemented its legacy, and reached beyond anything on a basketball court.

Sister Jean isn’t mentioned in any box score, hasn’t compiled a stat, and won’t make the all-tournament team. She’s had as much of an impact on Loyola’s season and tournament run as anyone on the court though. It’s written on the face of every Loyola player as they line up on the court and wait one by one to receive hug, a congratulations, and share each win with their biggest fan.

Her reactions to wins, her incredible and visible connections with the players, and interviews with reporters have basically turned the NCAA tournament into the under card for the Sister Jean post game show.

The highlight of last night’s main event was her reassuring players that she didn’t care that they’d broken her bracket as long as they’re still playing. Her comment blew up Twitter and drew smiles and laughter from anyone in earshot.

All I heard was “Sister Jean has a bracket.” And just because she made the comment in jest, it doesn’t mean there can’t be an element of truth there. If Sister Jean was something like 47 for 49 going into Loyola’s game last night, that would push this whole situation to a new level, but still might not crack the list of top ten most incredible elements of this story.

Either way, I want to see that bracket.

“Broken” is a pretty subjective description when it comes to brackets so its hard to surmise much at this point. We do at least know that Sister Jean picks with her head but goes with her heart when it comes to her team in the tournament. I’ve always felt like that was the way to go but her endorsement solidifies it.

As curious as I am to see who she has in the Final Four and which upsets she took, I’m guessing accuracy and the picks themselves would ultimately be an afterthought. The life lessons and insights in her thoughts and explanations are pretty much guaranteed to overshadow the pick itself the same way she’s already overshadowed, or at least, transcended any game and the tournament as a whole.

I’m definitely going to watch the next two weeks, but whatever happens, whoever it is cutting down the nets won’t matter. Sister Jean already won.

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She epitomized everything good in sports. She’s reminded us and added onto why we watch, why we love March, why we love a game.

Sometimes a game is just a game. Sometimes its an overture to a person, story, message, or connection far beyond a game.

Google Sister Jean. You’ll find stories that make you laugh, that make you cry, and make you think. You won’t find negativity, bickering, conflicting narratives, or division. Whatever else is going on in the world around us, we can all agree on Sister Jean.

A game didn’t do that, but it made it possible.