The boys have become sports mad. They can't get enough of any of it. So when a neighbor was selling their tickets to the Panthers vs Packers match (as a reasonable price) we decided an early Xmas present was on the cards. We called the boys to our room and let them open a gift box which had gloves and one Keuchley and one Olsen shirt in them. Then they discovered the tickets. I though B's head was going to explode. He was so excited. I think L was so overwhelmed he was not sure what was actually happening. We got our proud parent moment when B declared us "best parents ever!"
Another neighbor lent us a parking pass close to the stadium and from moment we were on the street the boys, with eyes so wide open, couldn't wrap their head around how many people were wearing their Panthers gear. We walked through Bearden Park, where they were wrapping up a family fun fare (note for next season), but we were able to get some faces painted.
Dad, B & L @ Bank of America Stadium
Once we got in, the boys signed up for the "First Game Club" which gave them a badge stating this, which in turn, ensured a million high fives from any and everyone for the whole game.. Our seats were high up and in the corner behind the end zone. Still the view was great and it was just so much fun watching the boys soak up everything. From the National Anthem, the teams running out, Air Force fly over, fireworks - everything!
And there was some football.
A highly anticipated return from injury for Aaron Rogers was supposed to give the Packers a boost, and with positions in the play offs up for grabs, fans were a bit concerned. They needn't be. The Panthers were awesome, and while there was a good contingent of Packers fans near us, the overwhelming support of the home crowd drowned out the travelling fans. While you're never sure with the Cardiac Cats, the team had the game wrapped up by the beginning of the 4th quarter.
We tried to leave, to get in front of the crowds, but B was having none of it. If fact, he'd still be there today had we not forced him to go at the end of the game. I'm so glad we did this, we uhmmed and ahhed for a long time before pulling the trigger to get the tickets. But the whole family had a great time, the boys being there, and the parents watching the kids have a blast. Not sure it is something we could do every week, but definitely something we could do once a year. At the least we can just be downtown and soak up the atmosphere and activities before the game.
Carolina Panthers 31 (D. Byrd 2, C. McCaffery, G. Olsen touchdowns, G. Gano 4 extra points, 1 field goal) defeated the Green Bay Packers 24 (D. Adams, R. Cobb, R. Rogers touchdowns, M. Crosby 3 extra points, 1 field goal)
Paid Attendance: 74,447
No comments:
Post a Comment