Never has the color green been so prominent as it was this past Sunday, and that’s only fitting considering the lime green publicity machine is now rolling into its second half of national awareness duties.
First stop Sunday: Gang Green, or more matter-of-factly, the home of the green-clad New York Jets, Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It’s been a tough year for Gang Green, who entered last Sunday’s game against the Redskins with an abysmal 1-7 record. That was a good thing though for yours truly, as I was able to buy a ticket from a season-ticket holder for only $10! Talk about spending very little green for a seat on the 35-yard-line. Wow.
The Jets jumped out to a 17-3 halftime lead behind their new quarterback, Kellen Clemens, exciting a less than capacity crowd in the sprawling, concrete-laden Meadowlands Sports Complex, which also includes a horse track and a basketball arena. The Jets share the complex’s football stadium with the NFL Giants, and both clubs will move into new digs in 2010. Across the street from the existing field, the new shrine is already being built. Giants Stadium summarized in one word? Dump.
The decision to build a new stadium next to the current one however has resulted in an outrageous parking situation. All fans who wish to drive to the stadium must pre-pay to park, and many two miles away with shuttle service, and the price tag on the low end is $25 per game – a major ouch on the greenbacks, or as I like to say, communist. Fortunately, I was able to swing free parking two miles from the stadium then hop on the free shuttle bus.
The Redskins awoke from their first half coma in the game’s final 30 minutes to score 17 unanswered points while the Jets – well, they played like the Jets. Gang Green blew its 14-point halftime lead, losing in overtime, 23-20. Ray Hoffman of nearby Manchester, New Jersey wasn’t in a particularly pleasant mood toward the end of regulation, even after the Jets forced overtime, having trailed at one point, 20-17. But he was kind enough to show me his “Green Machine,” Jet-laden helmet, sweatshirt and cape, all of which are donated in an auction at the end of each season. The proceeds benefit Staten Island, New York Hospital. Gang Green giving back – gotta like that.
Last Sunday was double-dip Sunday.
I hopped back on the shuttle bus at 4:30 p.m. , and was on the New Jersey Turnpike South for Philadelphia by 4:50 p.m. for my next NFL destination: Cowboys at the Eagles for an 8:15 p.m. kickoff.
The football Gods were with me because I made the 100-mile trek, with one stop for some grub, in less than two hours. I crossed the Walt Whitman Bridge at 6:30 p.m. and could see the fortress, Lincoln Financial Field, in the distance.
The green-uniformed Eagles have been one of the NFL’s biggest proponents of recycling, so it was fitting to bring the green machine to the City of Brotherly Love.
With the Cowboys-Eagles rivalry one of the biggest in the NFL, I knew getting a ticket would be no picnic, but again, I lucked out.
About 10 minutes before kickoff outside the entrance to Lincoln Financial Field, a fan asked me if I needed a ticket and offered me a $75 seat in the south end zone for $50. I negotiated down to $40 and before you knew it, I was watching Rocky on the big screen along with 70,000 plus other Philly Eagles fanatics. The introduction would be about as loud as the stadium would get because the visiting Cowboys simply dominated the home team, cruising to a 38-17 win.
Around Midnight, I walked through the streets of South Philadelphia, north of the stadium and pondered the fun I enjoyed on double-dip Sunday. I was lucky enough to have a free place to crash too, thanks to the incredibly awesome kindness and hospitality of my friend, Frany, and her friends, Brian and Mary Ellen.
Knowing it was now Monday, I went to bed in South Philly and slept - like a giant green machine sports baby.