It was Monday morning and I was actually excited to get out of bed; today was club seat ticket day at the Browns training camp. It is funny how that works out. Had Monday been a “work” day I probably would have had a little more trouble getting out of bed.
I have to admit, using my parents’ invite to the club seat day I felt like an impostor; heck, I was an impostor. Like any diehard Browns fan, though, I was not about to pass up an opportunity to see them practice. I put in a hard half day at work and then was off to Berea for the afternoon. After my previous experience, I decided that going by myself was probably the best choice.
When I pulled into the parking area, the parking attendant asked me if I had my ticket for the day – I did, with two extras. After getting out of my car and putting on my Kosar jersey I walked back up to the guy and gave him my two extra tickets. I told him to give them away to someone who needed them – hopefully they reached those people.
As I walked over I noticed that many of the fans were the same kind of people that showed up on the other days – just with a little more money to spend. There were the old timers who started every sentence with “Back in my day”, the diehards, who started theirs with “Actually…”, the band wagoners saying “Who is our quarterback?”, and the entitled fan whining “Why aren’t they practicing in front of me?”
Upon entering the practice area I was handed a “welcome bag” with a media guide and an inflatable cushion, among other things. I stood in line (yes, they still have lines in the club area) to get my “credentials”, which consisted of a mini CD with the Browns media guide on it. I had to wear this around my neck. If I was lucky, there would have been a little red raffle card on the back that I could redeem for a prize. Those of you who know me know that I am not a lucky person.
As I moped by the seemingly endless line of people redeeming their raffle tickets, this feeling of being an impostor come over me once again. I started to walk towards the stands in the back where the offense typically practices. I came across a beverage booth – the Browns were giving out bottled water, soda, and lemonade for free. Yeah, now I really felt like an impostor, but I still sucked it up and grabbed a lemonade…
I found a place to sit – the last row of one of the stands. I can only assume I was guided to this spot by the diehard of diehards, my late Grandpa Ford. I had set up camp next to a few serious fans, one of them was well into his 80′s. Throughout the day he blessed me with stories of the old times and how things used to be – I enjoyed every word.
The Browns practice was fairly uneventful. Some big plays, some crappy plays, but nothing too crazy aside from Dawson and the backup kicker nailing 50-60 yard field goals. It is just plan insane what they can do if no one is trying to block the kick…
There was also a family in my stand area that was sitting in the first row. One of the boys (maybe 13) had on a Brady Quinn jersey. About half way through everything he asked his mom for 80 dollars to buy a Joe Thomas jersey “that I have to have”. Last time I checked, he was already wearing a jersey – so why would he need a new one? Also, at least in my family, I couldn’t ask my parents for 80 dollars cash on the spot and in all seriousness expect to get it, but that is a whole other conversation. The mom coughed off up the money and the kid was off. He returned about twenty minutes later with a Stallworth jersey.
Wait…what? I thought he needed a Joe Thomas jersey? For me, who you pick to wear defines you as a person; this decision can not be spur of the moment, it is something that needs long and deep thought. (Admittedly, as an engineer I give just about everything long and deep thought…). Lets just ignore the fact that I knew Bernie was my guy from a young age. I wouldn’t drop him so quickly to wear someone else.
After the practice Anderson and Quinn were doing a little extra throwing by the stands. Everyone was yelling for Quinn to come over – you would never know he was the backup. Pool, Anderson, Hubbard, and Quinn ended up coming to the stands to sign autographs. Oddly enough, I had no interest in getting Quinn’s autograph. I managed to get Pool’s autograph quickly and then stood around waiting for Anderson. I honored the reverse seniority rule with autographs – helping little kids get to the front while I waited my turn. When it eventually came, I got his signature on the poster and could only manage two words to Anderson. What were those two words? Well, I had to choose them wisely, so I needed them to be powerful, yet simple. I uttered what I think many of you would, “Beat Pittsburgh” – he just kind of laughed. I then stood in line for Hubbard, but ended up not getting his – life will go on.
As I walked out I again felt like an impostor; honestly, I was feeling like one the entire day. I am not used to free drinks, and jerseys on demand. I am not a club seat kind of person – I enjoyed standing out during the Buffalo game last year…even with the freezing tempature and horizontal snow.
What can I say…I wear Bernie.
