mcmopar
Well-Known Member
Our pastor is a huge Cowboys fan and a bunch of the guys from the church had been planning to go to the Bucs-Cowboys game. 2 weeks ago he asked me "are you free to go to the game? I have a spare ticket because someone backed out." I told him I couldn't afford the price tag right now ($65 for the ticket). He said "see me Wednesday night." So I did and he gave me the ticket "as my gift to you" because he knows I'm a big 'Boys fan, too.
So today we head on over to Raymond James Stadium, stopping by Cracker Barrel on the way (yummy). We got inside the stadium with about an hour to spare and watched the pre-game warmups and all that. Good stuff. There were about 6 of us from the church, including pastor who was taking a "vacation day." Since I'm one of the members of the elder board I naturally approved! (conflict of interest?
).
Anyway the game was a memorable one. With a little over a minute to go at the half my 'Boys were down 7-6 but a great drive got us the lead at 13-7 with 46 seconds to go in the half. The Bucs drove down the filed but time expired on them before they could try a field goal - whew!
We had been expecting rain and it was cloudy all around the stadium with heavy rain about 1/4 mile north of the stadium just as the 2nd half was getting ready to begin. We all thought it was coming our way so out came the poncho and it did rain - for all of about 3-5 minutes. Then the clouds parted again and the sun came back out. About mid way through the 3rd quarter we got some clouds which gave us some shade and some breeze which made it a lot less miserable. I was loaded up with 45 sunblock so this red head didn't become a red neck! We were up in section 316 (SW corner), Row Z - about 10 rows from the top of the stadium and the view was excellent!
The 'Boys really turned on the old "Spank Machine" in the 3rd and 4th quarters and pulled away strong. Since becoming a 'Boys fan in 1966 I've never seen them in person until today and it was a most triumphant excursion!
I had made mention on the way over that we should stop and eat dinner at this little place in Dover, FL off I-75 called Nidia's Latin Grill on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and N. Dover Rd. It isn't much to look at on the outside but they have killer ribs and chicken along with some of the best beans, rice and salad anywhere. The guys loved it and we all pigged out! I also brought some home to my wife because I've brought it home before and if I hadn't brought some home today I'd have been in hot water.
Unfortunately I did not take my camera but since it was a televised game I figured what would be the point? I will say, being at the game is a completely different experience than watching it on TV. The game was great, the company was great (tons of Cowboys fans in attendance) and the food afterward was outstanding. Its not often you have days like today so it will be a cherished memory for many years to come!
So today we head on over to Raymond James Stadium, stopping by Cracker Barrel on the way (yummy). We got inside the stadium with about an hour to spare and watched the pre-game warmups and all that. Good stuff. There were about 6 of us from the church, including pastor who was taking a "vacation day." Since I'm one of the members of the elder board I naturally approved! (conflict of interest?
Anyway the game was a memorable one. With a little over a minute to go at the half my 'Boys were down 7-6 but a great drive got us the lead at 13-7 with 46 seconds to go in the half. The Bucs drove down the filed but time expired on them before they could try a field goal - whew!
We had been expecting rain and it was cloudy all around the stadium with heavy rain about 1/4 mile north of the stadium just as the 2nd half was getting ready to begin. We all thought it was coming our way so out came the poncho and it did rain - for all of about 3-5 minutes. Then the clouds parted again and the sun came back out. About mid way through the 3rd quarter we got some clouds which gave us some shade and some breeze which made it a lot less miserable. I was loaded up with 45 sunblock so this red head didn't become a red neck! We were up in section 316 (SW corner), Row Z - about 10 rows from the top of the stadium and the view was excellent!
The 'Boys really turned on the old "Spank Machine" in the 3rd and 4th quarters and pulled away strong. Since becoming a 'Boys fan in 1966 I've never seen them in person until today and it was a most triumphant excursion!

I had made mention on the way over that we should stop and eat dinner at this little place in Dover, FL off I-75 called Nidia's Latin Grill on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and N. Dover Rd. It isn't much to look at on the outside but they have killer ribs and chicken along with some of the best beans, rice and salad anywhere. The guys loved it and we all pigged out! I also brought some home to my wife because I've brought it home before and if I hadn't brought some home today I'd have been in hot water.
Unfortunately I did not take my camera but since it was a televised game I figured what would be the point? I will say, being at the game is a completely different experience than watching it on TV. The game was great, the company was great (tons of Cowboys fans in attendance) and the food afterward was outstanding. Its not often you have days like today so it will be a cherished memory for many years to come!
