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The San Diego Chargers made a rare trip to the East Coast today, and I wasn’t sure what to do.
Giant Stadium is not Opponent-fan friendly, not even to the little kids, but I was tempted to spring for a set of tickets to the game today.
I opted not to for a bunch of reason, not the least of which was my son having his own game – a roller hockey game – at 3:30 this afternoon.
As Nov 8 grew closer, I was feeling the itch more and more. I’d have to pay a fortune for the tickets, probably more than two week’s pay, but it’d be worth it. But, it’s so far… and my son’s only 9… and … and… no, no I wasn’t going to do it.
Then, the NY Charger fans started making some noise on Twitter. Tailgate parties, meet-ups… no, no… we had my son’s game. And thank goodness the game was on national TV. I’d find a way to record it and we’d watch it after his hockey game was done.
Then at 11:59 PM on Nov 7, I got an email… I’d been invited to join a men’s street hockey team as a replacement player. If I wanted to join up, I needed to be at the courts at 5 PM on Nov 8, the game would be over around 7 PM.
Ahhhhh!
I talked it over with my wife and son (not my daughter, she has no say… or rather, no vested interest.) The verdict was to join, and we’d watch the game afterward.
So, I did my best to avoid listening to the game on the radio (I did hear the last 5 minutes of the first quarter as I drove to my game… but all it did was encourage me).
I watched Jay’s game, then I went and played my own. Exhausted, I had to take a shower when I got back… at 7:30, we finally sat to watch the game.
It was a great game. And my son, who with 2 minutes to go was on the verge of tears and asking if he could sleep with my wife and I, is now proudly sleeping in his Philip Rivers jersey.
I was wearing my Antonio Gates jersey, until he dropped his second easy catch, and then I switched to my own Rivers jersey.
It was a great scene… Jay in his powder blue, me in the away white, and my wife and daughter wearing matching Charger T-shirts that were mock jerseys… with who’s name and number? Philip Rivers #17.
We cheered like crazy for as Rivers led the team to the go ahead score, and my son wanted to put on his Merriman jersey (yes, he has one, and I’m okay with that) but I told him we could leave on the Rivers tops… and then Shawne took down Eli for one final game ending sack.
I hate John Elway (not as a person, but as a Charger opponent). I hate Peyton Manning in the same way (I was one of those who wanted them to draft Ryan Leaf instead, stupid me). And, I have every reason to dislike Eli in the same way. Rivers owns the Manning boys, and that’s just fine.
Yes! Go Chargers!
Contributed by: Scott Copperman
Tags: By Scott Copperman