spiral
Starter
- Joined
- May 18, 2004
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It was 1999. I had just graduated from college in Michigan and was looking forward to start my life when I decided to move to Miami, buy a season ticket to the Dolphins and fully embrace my "Phandemonium". First thing I did was to try and get a job with the Miami Dolphins, I figured why the hell not? After a month I was able to get a job in the ticket office at what was then called, Pro Player Stadium. Mostly I sold Marlins games, and was even treated to a meeting with Dave Dombrowski who at the time, was the Marlin's GM and he couldn't had been more passionate about his job (which has worked out for me years later being a Detroit Tigers Fan)
Anyways, back to the Dolphins scrimmage. Since we sold tickets we had set up for the Dolphins scrimmage at Lockhart Stadium and I was shaking with excitement. This was going to be the first time that I was to see my childhood idol (#13) up close and I had to figure out a way to do so. Well I noticed that as an employee for the day we were given passes that read "All-Access" so I decided to put that to the test and I eschewed the grandstands for the Dolphins' sideline and watched the entire scrimmage from a vantage point that was literally in front of the Dolphins' cheerleaders. I also stood next to Marino's son, Michael, who was there with Fudge Brownie, the former Director of Community Relations (or something like that). Jimmy Johnson paced the sidelines constantly, clapping his hands nervously the entire time.
I saw the scrimmage from a perspective that allowed me to witness and appreciate the speed and power of the players that TV just doesn't allow. Marino was at the end of his career but still could sling the ball without any effort. Cecil "The Diesel" Collins (remember him) also stood out for being small, quick and powerful. I remember at the time he was supposed to be a "faster Emmitt Smith" and I was excited to see glimpses of Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas who were entering their prime.
It was a fun once-in-a-lifetime experience, although it also ended with me getting reprimanded from my superiors.
Thanks for letting me share, here's to safe and exciting scrimmage!
Anyways, back to the Dolphins scrimmage. Since we sold tickets we had set up for the Dolphins scrimmage at Lockhart Stadium and I was shaking with excitement. This was going to be the first time that I was to see my childhood idol (#13) up close and I had to figure out a way to do so. Well I noticed that as an employee for the day we were given passes that read "All-Access" so I decided to put that to the test and I eschewed the grandstands for the Dolphins' sideline and watched the entire scrimmage from a vantage point that was literally in front of the Dolphins' cheerleaders. I also stood next to Marino's son, Michael, who was there with Fudge Brownie, the former Director of Community Relations (or something like that). Jimmy Johnson paced the sidelines constantly, clapping his hands nervously the entire time.
I saw the scrimmage from a perspective that allowed me to witness and appreciate the speed and power of the players that TV just doesn't allow. Marino was at the end of his career but still could sling the ball without any effort. Cecil "The Diesel" Collins (remember him) also stood out for being small, quick and powerful. I remember at the time he was supposed to be a "faster Emmitt Smith" and I was excited to see glimpses of Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas who were entering their prime.
It was a fun once-in-a-lifetime experience, although it also ended with me getting reprimanded from my superiors.
Thanks for letting me share, here's to safe and exciting scrimmage!
