Wikipedia defines the word dating as, any social activity performed as a pair with the aim of each assessing the other’s suitability as their partner in an intimate relationship or as a spouse. The word refers to the act of agreeing on a time and “date” when the pair can meet and engage in some social activity.
The definition although strong, doesn’t even begin to describe the anxiety involved.
The time was to be any time around 11:00am. The activity, the Philadelphia Eagles versus the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field for the NFL’s week eight match up. I had been conversing with Jacqueline for a few weeks through an on-line dating site. After acquiring digits, I asked her if she would be interested in attending an Eagles game. I knew from her e-mails and her profile that she was a huge Philadelphia sports fan. And I also know the key to any sports fans heart is a live game. Since I have been living vicariously thru Philadelphia fans all October, I figured an Eagles game was the perfect social activity. The tickets cost me a small fortune but so would have a wasted weekend alone in Atlantic City. Attending a football game with a very attractive lady was a far better alternative, regardless of the money.
11:07am- I received a text message that Jacqueline was close, and I rushed down the stairs from my apartment to meet her in the lot. Shortly after she pulled up and I met her for the first time. My stomach in knots, my mind in a million different directions, I shook her hand and began walking with her to my truck. It was then that I noticed she was wearing a number 36 Eagles Jersey. I asked her who number 36 is.
My question almost blew the whole damn date!
A look of shock and disgust crossed her complexion and I would swear in court that she appeared to make a slight turn back to her car. In hindsight I can’t say I blame her. If someone took me to a Yankees game and asked me who number 2 was within the first 30 seconds of meeting them, I would probably be looking to bail too! I blame THE OLD MAN! TOM, that pain in my backside had me up until 3:00am on the phone the night before. He was talking my ear off about John McCain, and other idol nonsense! The sleep depravation had me in an obvious state of mental bewilderment!
Number 36 is of course Eagles Running Back Brian Westbrook. Lesson learned!
11:15am- Jacqueline decided to join me anyway, and I began our drive over the Delaware to South Philly.
11:47am- We parked three lots away from my usual spot. The atmosphere on Pattison Ave was insane! Part of the reason I wanted to attend the game was to see the city with both an Eagles game and a Phillies World Series game all in the same day. Eagles / Falcons and game four of the 2008 World Series with the Phillies up two games to one.
The tailgaters were out in full force. The sounds of Tom Petty and AC DC were blasting on stereos throughout the lots. The smells of beer and grilled hotdogs were in the air everywhere. The crowds gathered like herds of cattle throughout the lots.
12:11pm- We entered the turnstiles and walked the lower square before climbing the stairs to the main concourse. We made our expedition to section 210 row 4 seats 15 & 16. They turned out to be very good end zone seats, with a great aerial view.
12:49pm- The National Anthem was sung and we were moments away from kick off. The sea of Phillies red attire and Eagles green digs being worn by fans throughout the stands made Lincoln Financial look like Christmas.
1:01pm- The Falcons won the coin toss and elected to receive.
1:37pm- As the first quarter began to close, neither team was able to score and both sides looked pour on offense. Eagles defensive end Trent Cole knocked Falcons QB Matt Ryan to the turf late in the first. Although an exceptionally hard hit, the play resulted in a very questionable roughing the passer penalty against the Eagles. The NFL going above and beyond to protect thier QBs! The disgusted Eagles crowd began to boo. It was by far the loudest I have ever heard a crowd boo in all the events I have been to.
1:42pm-A drunken Eagles fan sitting behind me began to heckle me. He assumed that because I was not wearing any Eagles green that I must have been an Atlanta Falcons fan in disguise. (The logic of a drunkard!) Even a neutral football fan is not safe from the Eagles fanatics’ wrath at Lincoln Financial! Lesson learned!
2:03pm- Matt Ryan passed deep down the middle, complete to Roddy White. The play resulted in a 55-yard touch down at 9:05 in the second quarter. Atlanta scored the first points of the game and took the lead 7-0.
2:14pm- Donovan Mcnabb infiltrated the end zone from three yards out for the first Eagles T.D. of the game. The game was tied at 7-7.
2:22pm- The Eagles got the ball right back and just before half time David Akers converged on a 36-yard field goal.
At the half the Eagles lead 10-7.
3:43pm- The Eagles dominated the third quarter and after a 16-yard Brian Westbrook touchdown run, and another David Akers field goal, Philadelphia was up 20-7.
4:00pm- Matt Ryan and the Falcons tried to make things interesting, but in the end it was another Westbrook touch down that sealed the victory for the Eagles 27-14. Jacqueline was thrilled with both Westbrook’s performance and the overall Eagles victory.
4:17pm- We began our departure from the 200 level and walked the properties between Lincoln Financial and Citizens Bank Park. We were both exhausted and quickly made our way back to my truck. I enjoyed the game thoroughly. Although it wasn’t an ideal date to get to know someone, it was a perfect activity nonetheless. We parted company quickly once back at my place. And I fell asleep for a few minutes while watching the end of the Giants game.
11:39pm- The Philadelphia Phillies clobbered the Tampa Bay Rays in game four of the World Series. Two Ryan Howard homers, and five RBI’s for the big man helped Philly take a 3 games to 1 lead in the series. It was the competition of a perfect day in Philadelphia sports. One more win and the Phillies will be World Champions. It is now Tuesday as I finish writing this Blog article and I am still not recovered from all of the events from Sunday!
