paranoidandroid
26 Nov 2003, 12:34 AM
I got the opportunity to finagle a press pass to the Chargers-Bengals game last Sunday.
Here are some of my observations. Sorry if it’s a bit rambling...
BEFORE THE GAME
-
Walking up to the stadium I was amazed to see an abundance of Bengal jerseys, although 85% of them were Carson Palmer apparel, but never-the-less it was nice to see the bandwagon filling up. Along with the Bengal colors was the overwhelming smell of burgers, steaks, BBQ, chicken...pretty much if you could grill it, it was being cooked before the game, and this was at 9:30am. After swiping a beer and some stories from some Bengal fans it was off to see where the media checked in before the game. After walking all over God’s green earth I finally found the media room. Now if you have never been in a media room before just picture 75-100 overweight guys, plus 1 or 2 bubbly blonde newswomen all mowing down on the free grub. After surveying the scene, I decided I should watch this game from the sidelines, but my press pass only permitted me to be in the press box. Another tip, if you act and look like you belong somewhere, chances are the 21 year old security dude won’t look twice at the fine print of your pass. To the sidelines we go.
THE GAME
-
Looking at Corey Dillon before the game I was tempted to ask #28 if he planned on sweating more on the stationary bike he was on, or in the real game. I thought better of it, and moved on. Chad Johnson or “CJ” as the brothers call him on the bench, told me, or at least he was looking in my general direction, that he planned on having a huge game, at least I think that’s what he said. Good call on his part. Strategically positioned between the Bengals bench and the Charger cheerleaders I walked up and down the field trying to secure my emotions every time the Bengals scored, since it is an unwritten rule that there is absolutely no cheering on press row. (bullshit rule #435 of the media) Anyway watching an NFL game from the sidelines is awesome. You really see and hear how big and fast these guys hit one another. And you can also see that back-up QB Shane Matthews is really playing a nintendo gameboy rather than charting the offense plays.
BEST TIMING AWARD
-
Leading 21-13 and driving for another score, the Einstein's in the corner of the endzone started the chant...”85 sucks! 85 sucks! 85 sucks!”
85 of course being the number of Chad Johnson. Chad, hearing every chant, hopped up and down in rhythm of the verbal abuse being lobbed towards him all the while clapping his hands at the abusers. Then on the very NEXT play, Johnson takes a Kitna pass into the endzone for his 3rd TD and promptly runs over and tosses the ball to the stands where the chants were being yelled.
F’ing priceless smackdown by Johnson. I asked him about that scene after the game, and all he did was flash his great smile and say
“It’s always great to score a TD...” I was hoping for something more...but hey maybe the kid is growing up. After talking to Rudi Johnson I decided we should try and chat with Corey Dillon, he did have a decent game, but alas Corey’s diamond earring was missing (no kidding) and he could not spare the 5 minutes to be interviewed. I toyed with the idea of looking for the missing jewelry and holding it for ransom over Dillon, but like the stationary bike comment, I thought better of it and instead snatched some gator aid and an
In and Out cheeseburger from the players only table. Take that Mr. Dillon!
As I walked out of the locker chomping on one of the best burgers ever made feeling very proud of my secret heist, that same 21 year old security dude that I pulled the wool over earlier in the day had the nerve to ask...”Do you belong down here?” I stared at him for a beat and replied, “Whatta you think junior? They just give these cheeseburgers and gator aid to anyone? I’m the freaking place kicker!”
As I walked out of the tunnel, I spotted the man himself...”Hey Mr. Brown do you have a second?”
Good times in the SD
Here are some of my observations. Sorry if it’s a bit rambling...
BEFORE THE GAME
-
Walking up to the stadium I was amazed to see an abundance of Bengal jerseys, although 85% of them were Carson Palmer apparel, but never-the-less it was nice to see the bandwagon filling up. Along with the Bengal colors was the overwhelming smell of burgers, steaks, BBQ, chicken...pretty much if you could grill it, it was being cooked before the game, and this was at 9:30am. After swiping a beer and some stories from some Bengal fans it was off to see where the media checked in before the game. After walking all over God’s green earth I finally found the media room. Now if you have never been in a media room before just picture 75-100 overweight guys, plus 1 or 2 bubbly blonde newswomen all mowing down on the free grub. After surveying the scene, I decided I should watch this game from the sidelines, but my press pass only permitted me to be in the press box. Another tip, if you act and look like you belong somewhere, chances are the 21 year old security dude won’t look twice at the fine print of your pass. To the sidelines we go.
THE GAME
-
Looking at Corey Dillon before the game I was tempted to ask #28 if he planned on sweating more on the stationary bike he was on, or in the real game. I thought better of it, and moved on. Chad Johnson or “CJ” as the brothers call him on the bench, told me, or at least he was looking in my general direction, that he planned on having a huge game, at least I think that’s what he said. Good call on his part. Strategically positioned between the Bengals bench and the Charger cheerleaders I walked up and down the field trying to secure my emotions every time the Bengals scored, since it is an unwritten rule that there is absolutely no cheering on press row. (bullshit rule #435 of the media) Anyway watching an NFL game from the sidelines is awesome. You really see and hear how big and fast these guys hit one another. And you can also see that back-up QB Shane Matthews is really playing a nintendo gameboy rather than charting the offense plays.
BEST TIMING AWARD
-
Leading 21-13 and driving for another score, the Einstein's in the corner of the endzone started the chant...”85 sucks! 85 sucks! 85 sucks!”
85 of course being the number of Chad Johnson. Chad, hearing every chant, hopped up and down in rhythm of the verbal abuse being lobbed towards him all the while clapping his hands at the abusers. Then on the very NEXT play, Johnson takes a Kitna pass into the endzone for his 3rd TD and promptly runs over and tosses the ball to the stands where the chants were being yelled.
F’ing priceless smackdown by Johnson. I asked him about that scene after the game, and all he did was flash his great smile and say
“It’s always great to score a TD...” I was hoping for something more...but hey maybe the kid is growing up. After talking to Rudi Johnson I decided we should try and chat with Corey Dillon, he did have a decent game, but alas Corey’s diamond earring was missing (no kidding) and he could not spare the 5 minutes to be interviewed. I toyed with the idea of looking for the missing jewelry and holding it for ransom over Dillon, but like the stationary bike comment, I thought better of it and instead snatched some gator aid and an
In and Out cheeseburger from the players only table. Take that Mr. Dillon!
As I walked out of the locker chomping on one of the best burgers ever made feeling very proud of my secret heist, that same 21 year old security dude that I pulled the wool over earlier in the day had the nerve to ask...”Do you belong down here?” I stared at him for a beat and replied, “Whatta you think junior? They just give these cheeseburgers and gator aid to anyone? I’m the freaking place kicker!”
As I walked out of the tunnel, I spotted the man himself...”Hey Mr. Brown do you have a second?”
Good times in the SD