For the second year, Barbara has invited me down to see the matchup of the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles. Football is not something I watch, but again, accepting seems a nice way to spend time with her and Gail, the most avid of football fans.
In preparation, I follow the Eagles season, knowing that they have been losing badly. The fans who care are disgusted and dismayed. And now that the Phillies season has collapsed, there is nothing to look forward to. So, after last year's trouncing, I assure Barbara that the Redskins are a going to win, that I will be happy to cheer with her, as I have no real feeling of love for the Eagles (yet) |
| Barbara, Gail and Tobie spreading out |
I drive down the night before being well aware that for a 1:00 game, she will be leaving for the stadium at 9:30 am. Gotta get a good spot to tailgate! the morning begins at 8:00 am. at the gym with my brother, then Barbara and Gail arrive to pick me up with all the Redskins gear in tow: Coolers, tables, chairs Redskins plates, a Redskin drink cooler, lots and lots of great food. The weather is spectacular-the sun bright and warm. I look forward to my second pro football game.
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| Eagles van complete with built in TV |
Our seats are in the 1st level on the 30 yard line, a perfect view. As we settle in, I take stock of our neighbors. To the left, in front and behind us are solid Redskins fans. To our right is a family of Eagles fans and several rows in front are two others. We are quite outnumbered and for the most part outshouted, but as we are soon to find out, not outplayed.
Seems that this will be a standing only game. Even before the game starts, the people in the first rows stand up, forcing everyone else to stand as well.
Last year's game was a running and long throwing game, where Michael Vick showed how agile and sharp he could be. I enjoyed watching his grace. This game is a short passing game where every yard is well fought and it takes the whole quarter to get down the field. Much to my surprise, and apparently the Redskins, the Eagles take early control of the ball and don't let go, holding on for 11 minutes of the first quarter. After two touchdowns and a field goal, I am nervous about even looking over at Barbara to see her reactions.
Meanwhile, the rowdy crew behind us unrelentingly shouts barbs at the Eagles, and soon enough, even starts to bark at the Redskins quarterback, Rex Grossman. "We want Beck, we want Beck". (the alternate quarterback) Throughout the first half, Grossman throws several times without a receiver in place, and the number of interceptions and turnovers is astounding. I'm enjoying learning more about the game, glad also to glance over on occasion to the Eagles fans nearby, who smile, appropriately thrilled at the 20-0 situation, cheering, but never noisy or obnoxious.All is well and good.
The fourth quarter: The 'gentleman' Eagles fan stands up, turns around and barks at the Redskins fans behind him, "If you don't f-ing stop pouring beer down my back, I'm going to kill you". I don't hear this threat, but I hear the retort "F- you, I didn't mean it, it was an accident". And then out of no where, the Eagles fan slugs, I mean really slugs the Redskins fan.
Barbara scurries out of the way, but the only place to go is in our laps. There we are in slow motion, watching a brawl unfold in front of our eyes. I think that this cannot possibly go on for much longer, their friends will be able to separate the two (or is it three now) in the fight. I put up my hand to hold the Eagles fan at bay while he falls backwards, still throwing punches. No one seems to be able to stop this, and there are no stadium workers in sight. I realize that I could get hurt as well, so turn and shout for someone to text the management as this fight continues.
It takes many long minutes for any official to show up. By that time, the Redskins fan who so politely responded "F-you" has a bloody face, the 'gentleman' is being taken away, and we are left with two blood spattered seats, a stunned group of fans, and at least 10 different versions of what has just happened.
We try to watch the rest of the game, which by this time has changed the Redskins' fortunes with the entrance of the alternate quarterback, Beck, who manages to get the ball down the field for a touchdown, and two field goals. Our attention, though, is on this scary and bizarre story, each of us having our own eye witness account, and each wondering how this could have happened.
Then I remember the tailgating grilling, the drinking, the bean bag games, the drinking, the dancing, the drinking. And the permission that fans feel they have to shout anything they want at the players, at the other fans. I've heard and seen bad behavior, but even this event was shocking.The final score-Eagles 20 Redskins 13
Not sure I'll be invited back!
