Can you imagine how unbelievable it felt for me, a non football fan to find myself watching Steve Young and Jerry Rice throw, catch and chase a football?  Yeah, there I was at the Super Bowl Jan. 29, 1995, Joe Robbie stadium, Miami, Florida.  It's one of those occasions in life that came to be because of a series of events which I'll never forget.

 

My kids were in the marching band at Hollywood Hills High School and the band parents could usher at the Dolphins stadium at the home games  to earn funds for band trips, and other expenses.  I volunteered, went to the training and participated in all the games as an usher.  It was so much fun.  I was told it didn't matter if I wasn't cognizant of the rules of the game, just check tickets, follow procedures and be nice.  I can do that.  I have to admit it was exciting to be there especially since the stadium would be hosting the big game!

 

The Superbowl .  It's hard to believe all the preparation that went into it, the training, the stadium tours and the anticipation.  Finally the big day came.  We had to go to a nearby race track to park, go through security, get all the game day briefing, then be driven to the stadium.  We were at the stadium at 10:00 AM; the game was scheduled for 6;00 PM, but there we were, the flags, the decorations, the music, the films on the big screen and we walked around.  We were allowed to buy souvenirs in addition to the items they gave us and we could get a locker.  We'd be allowed meal tickets and the electricity in the air was unbelievable.   I hope this isn't blasphemy, but it reminded me somewhat of the pope's trip to Miami.   Then we had to get to our posts since many people would be there for pre game shows.  Walking to a sandwich stand at my break, I spotted  my favorite columnist, Dave Barry, so I rush to him saying excuse me, but aren't you Dave Barry?  I told him I'd know him anywhere and already that made my day!  Then my co usher and I made a pact, if she saw a celebrity, she'd tell me and I'd do the same.  I was dazzled by the gift packs for the patrons, the extra decorations on the field and the charged atmosphere.

 

Kathy Gifford sang the anthem and the jets flew overhead and I don't know a punt from a long pass or something, but I was so glad to be there.  Very few of the commercials made it to the big screen and that's my favorite part, but I could live with that, they would show other things in the field on time outs.   First quarter is moving along, when  the ugly side of events like the Superbowl or super star rock concerts reared its head:  counterfeit tickets.  Now with the way they scan tickets at the doors, it may not happen any more, but then people showed what appeared to be authentic tickets at the gate, would get the stubs torn off and  then  gave the usher tickets for seats which were already occupied.   Our directions were to call a supervisor and then they would escort the people away.   It was sad because some people paid a lot of money.  The trainers told us to call the supervisor and they'd handle it.   I found out when I asked later, an armed guard would take them to the parking lot, they couldn't even watch the game in the concourse on the TVs on the walls.  So, here it was again during Super Bowl and I didn't have the heart to call the officials.  My ushering station was at the section reserved for the families and you'd hear someone picking up a kid saying there's uncle Steve, Uncle Jerry.  So, when I was approached by people holding tickets of that section I told them they were counterfeit and they argued, then burst into tears,  I told them just to turn around watch the game on the concourse TVs and have fun. 

 

Half time, Patti La belle, Tony Bennett, the Sound Machine and I let people form the concourse watch it in the hallway.  If anyone thinks that I I owe the NFL money for this, well, I have no remorse. The funny thing was that by the third quarter most of the box seats were empty and so was a large part of the audience, they had parties to go to.  By the time the 49ers got the Vince Lombardi trophy less than half of the people were there.  We had to wait to the very end, then go back to the race track to sign out.  It was now close to midnight.  We were waiting in line when a whole group of young men behind me were talking about which parties were being held and where and how soon they could get there.  Parties? Weren't they tired?  They'd been up since  early morning.  I turned around and asked where were they from and they told me from University of Miami rugby team.  It was right there and then, that I decided that I was only young at heart, not really up for a party in South Beach at that hour and they were discussing how the parties would be just beginning and thus at Super bowl XXIX I realized I was really middle aged, but it was a fun way to find out.  And yeah, I still have the Super Bowl XXIX magnets on the refrigerator.