Yes, after all these years I finally got to a professional football game. It seems like I saw a pre-season exhibition game twenty or more years ago, but I can’t be sure. Anyway, I was quite pleased with my first experience even though it turned into a very hot and humid day in the sun.
My friend, Gary Baker, invited me and a couple more friends to Sunday’s Titan vs. Texans game in Nashville. It’s only about an hour and a half to Nashville, so we took our time, stopping for a Cracker Barrel breakfast in Lebanon, TN.
I rarely go to University of Tennessee games anymore, preferring to watch in HD from the comfort of my recliner. Fighting the traffic and crowds in Knoxville is just not that much fun. But, this was different…we parked about 200 yards 
from the main entrance, and walked directly down to our 45-yard line seats with ease! That coupled with the great fellowship and cold Fat Tire beer was something I could enjoy most anytime.
Gary has been down with bad sinus congestion all this week, and I think he thought he was about over it. However, it turned out that the heat, humidity, and the drive was more than he could stand. We didn’t stay the entire game, and started back before the game, which was a fairly boring offensive game, was over. Titans lost 34-31.
Our buddy Nathan Hammond (first to my left in the photos - then David Webb and Gary), took the controls back while Gary sat, eyes closed, in the back. Gary didn’t miss a beat in the conversation though, so he never really went to sleep. However, you can bet he went straight to bed after getting home!
I’m posting this just to tell Gary THANKS, and get well soon! He was a trooper!
BE SURE TO DOUBLE CLICK THE MERGED SHOTS FOR A BETTER VIEW!
from the main entrance, and walked directly down to our 45-yard line seats with ease! That coupled with the great fellowship and cold Fat Tire beer was something I could enjoy most anytime.
Our buddy Nathan Hammond (first to my left in the photos - then David Webb and Gary), took the controls back while 
14 comments:
Cool shots. That stadium merge is excellent! I've seen the cowboys play about tree times in Irving. They won one of those. It's always fun, even if they loose, but it's wonderful if they win.
Toying with the idea of taking Denise up to Lambeou field to see the Cowboys play her team. THAT should be a wild experience, with me in my cowboys t-shirt!
You should!
Isn't it really exciting though to see a pro-football game -in person? I haven't had a chance to do that in close to 40 years now but when I worked in D.C., my old boss often got tickets given to him by salesmen for some Redskin games. Of course, that was back before Coach Lombardi and then, George Allen came to town and redid the team so they weren't all that popular back then and my boss -fairweather fan that he was -would often give me tickets to the games! Loved, loved, loved that benefit to my job!
And here I've been squintin' myself blind, while lookin' at the crowd-shots during UT-games!
(And, YES, like you---all from the comfort of my recliner! And, you're right: The driving IS a lot easier from there! And not nearly as big of a crowd...!)
Wow no wonder you don't go to the games, it's just too far. I have Sundevil Stadium about 30 minutes away from me and the new Cardinal's stadium only 10 minutes away. Courtesy of my trucking companies I get to go to many football, baseball, and basketball games. Yes I'm spoiled and I'm not even a sports fan.
I hope your friend is feeling better, and your way of watching a game is my way too.
Coach Lombardi and then, George Allen! Wow, Jeni...those were the days!
There's an art to the one hand shot. people have no idea.
Yep, you got reach on me!
Looks like you had pretty good seats.
My husband used to go to the Steeler and Pirate games a long time ago. But he said it was a long ass day and he'd rather watch from home.
I'm with him!
Been to more than I can count, in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Wisconsin, Chicago, Pittsburgh, etc...many in the press box, so I've become hard to the thrill of watching millionaires run at breakneck speed from the sidelines.
But there is nothing like your first one, whether it be baseball(1959 Exhibition game in Sarasota Florida between the White Sox and Yankees) or Football(1981 Bengals vs San Fran in the Press Box)...it's some you will always remember.
Good for you! I find college ball to be more exciting in person, what with the bands and cheerleaders and yells and whatnot. Also, the NFL game is so damn precise, while the college game is more wide open. Just my two cents, of course.
Wow, impressive merge shots! Aw, your poor friend, he must have been so frustrated to be struck down like that during the game. You sure do get around, my friend - I can see you enjoyed the day, but then, with good friends, a great atmosphere, and cold beer - what's not to enjoy?
Sul - I find college more exciting as well. There is too much standing around time waiting on commercials for me...it's like watching baseball.
Carol - Unfortunately my friend passed his aliment along to me but is seem to be finally getting over it today. I do enjoy those new friends of mine though...they move around a lot.
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