Best Moments of 31 Stadiums

Every time you mention our trip to someone, they always ask what is the best stadium, the best tailgate, the best fans, or the best overall experience. It is a very difficult question to answer since we are at one game for one day and there are so many different variables that can define the “best” about a stadium, a game, the fans, or a city. Because our experiences are defined by who was at the tailgate with us, what the weather was like, what teams were playing in the game, and what parking lot location we found, I will provide a list of some of our best moments while traveling the country. These are in no particular order and are from my own view point. Aaron and Nolan’s best moments probably differ slightly. So here we go:

1) In St. Louis we did an interview on the Saturday morning prior to the game. It was a little tough getting up early and looking presentable after going out the night before. But it was a blessing that we didn’t fully realize until the next day. The owner of the Rams, Lucia Rodriguez, saw the interview and told her people that she wanted to meet us. So on Sunday, we got a good parking spot next to the stadium (I contacted a parking guy the week before so he was expecting us), and immediately had people coming up to us saying they saw the news and loved the story. We had fire fighters, police officers, former military, and everyone else asking about our story. It was hard to set up the tailgate we had so many people coming by. Then some of the Rams personnel found us and told us that we were going to be escorted onto the field to meet the owner. We had to leave the tailgate early, but we went on the field and were introduce to Mrs. Lucia Rodriguez and then she presented us with Rams jerseys with CPT. LUSK printed on the back. It was truly a remarkable gesture that left me speechless. Aside from that, we were invited to the Clarkson Jewelers Club, were interviewed at half time on the field and aired on the Jumbo-Tron, and watched the third quarter from field seats. Amazing!!

2) In Indianapolis, we contacted the “Blue Crew” to find parking and a good tailgate location. Immediately they were on board with our cause and invited us to hang out at their bar on Saturday and then to park in “their” (they lease a lot for football season) lot for the game on Sunday. They also invited Aaron to be a judge in their annual cook off. We couldn’t have hand picked a better location and group of people to hang out with prior to the game. They welcomed us with arms wide open and even presented a Blue Crew flag signed by its members, an Army Flag, and an American Flag. Also, they contacted the Colts and got me on the field for pre-game activities and a slot on the Jumbo-Tron that aired just before the end of halftime and told our story to the stadium. It was an awesome experience and just made us wish we had contacted more fan clubs along the way.

3) Greenman in Colorado Springs, Phoenix, Baltimore, Green Bay, and Philadelphia!

4) In San Francisco, we had just gotten the RV back and picked up a few lovely ladies and were feeling good about the trip again. We had also been in contact with personnel from the 49ers and also an assistant coach, Dave Fipp, who provided us with pre-game field passes, a personalized note, and a yellow ribbon pin with the 49er logo on it (only 100 were made and handed out at that game). Once we were on the field, I got the chance to meet Coach Fipp and talked to him for a few minutes before he had to go to the locker room. It was a very cool experience and he ended up giving me a game ball.

5) We did a hand full of interviews, but there was one in particular that led to big things that we did not expect to happen. In Kansas City we met up with a few amazing people that worked for the VFW and they connected us with a news station out of KC and we did an interview at the tailgate prior to the Chiefs game. The interview went well and then we had a great time watching football and spending time with our newly found friends. The next day we were contacted by CNN and they aired the interview the next day. CNN also wanted to do a live interview the next week with Heidi Collins. It was a huge step in gaining publicity and getting our name and cause out there. That interview in KC also brought about the interview in St. Louis and some other possible projects.

6) Having grown up a Notre Dame fan, I’ve never been to the campus. I’ve always wanted to go to a game there and this was an opportunity to do just that. We drove from Chicago with a few friends and my parents and their friends also came to the tailgate and game. We had a great tailgate area, a little far from the stadium, but plenty of room and had an awesome time with a lot of people stopping by. Then we went to one of the best games of the entire tour sitting pretty close to the field. The whole experience being in such a storied stadium and being apart of that great game, was unreal and unforgettable. And for that to be my first experience at Notre Dame, I was impressed. And then the next day we went to the Bears game with about twenty friends and family and had one of our best tailgates of the tour. Pineapple Pina Coladas, spicy hot mustard, brats, American Dogs, Tri-Tip, shrimp poppers, peanut butter fudge, great people and front row tickets. Forget about it!

7) The best thing about being from the Military Academy is going to the Army / Navy game. It was my first game as an alum and we went all out. Many friends flew or drove in for the game and we had an amazing time. No sleep, lots of food and beverages, and great friends made the weekend amazing. It was so amazing that Sunday I had a difficult time keeping my composure.

8 ) Our first field experience happened in Jacksonville. We were went out to the field about two hours prior to the start of the game. We were there so early the players were still in shorts practicing. We were all pretty excited and walked around the entire field and even took pictures with cheerleaders. It was even better because the Jaguars were playing the Cardinals so we got to see our home team run out onto the field. Also, we got to stay on the field for the National Anthem and a flyover. It was truly amazing to be on the field for both and I had goose bumps the entire time. It made me feel so proud of where I had come from.

9) A reunion of sorts happened on Nov. 15 in Glendale, AZ when we returned to the valley and had many friends and family and some of the Veterans Tickets posse come join us for the tailgate. VTF hooked us up with a parking spot near Westgate and we enjoyed ourselves with great food and great company. We even got to go on the field for pre-game activities. It was a fun game and tailgate and the Cardinals won!

10) The most professional tailgate setup happened in Washington DC for the Redskins game. We all worked together to set everything up, cook the food, and enjoy ourselves with a few friends. We had the satellite TV outside for the first time in months; We had food warmers with cheese steak, dip, and meatballs; We had the water pong table going strong throughout the tailgate; and we had the heater stoked up to maximum to keep our guests warm. We had everything setup before all our friends came by so we looked like professionals. And we should, since it was three months into the trip. Three strangers stopped by and hung out the entire time prior to the game, we were that good! Actually they were awesome and gave us some great tickets.

And here is my best of list…

Best Outdoor Stadium: Lambeau Field, Packers

Best Indoor Stadium: (Tie) Lucas Oil Field, Colts and U. of Phoenix Stadium, Cardinals

Loudest Stadium: Louisiana Superdome, Saints

Smartest Fans: Indianapolis Colts

Best Game: Notre Dame vs. Washington

Best Tailgate: Chicago Bears

Best Popcorn: Notre Dame

Best RV Parking Location: Eastern Market, Detroit

Closest RV Parking: Oakland (though we did not have the RV, we parked the Batmobile with the RVs and right next to the Stadium)