We have arrived for SB LI.
The city of Houston last hosted in 2004 and since then have added 3 or 4 million hotel rooms, 56 construction cranes, and 14,000 volunteers all trained to say "Your credential won't be good at this location". Those in town lucky enough to own vacant lots will simply put up a sign reading $70 TO PARK and the dream starts to kick in. Yep, we are set. The Mayor said visitors won't believe how many museums we have or how swell the opera is. Mayor Turner seems unfamiliar with those coming to see a football game. They might be surprised how many streets are blocked off or how many menus have something "slow smoked". We only eat steak, brisket, or Tex Mex. Pedestrian right of way is another thing. It doesn't exist. If you see a car using a turn signal they are from out of state.
I was dazzled by Texans owner Bob McNair the year before the team was assembled to start play as the 32nd franchise. Remember how many Texans jersey tops with the number 32 you saw around town? Years later fans figured whoever wore than number must have been popular. There was a rally downtown to show off the uniforms of the new team. Clay Walker sang the anthem. I TOLD HIM he was really popular since two streets downtown were named for him. I am not sure he got it. Back to my being dazzled. Bob sent me a Texans helmet. Brand new, never worn. He asked me if I had any requests from my lofty position was SPORTS GUY AT CH. 2. I said, "sure, send me a couple Super Bowl tickets".
Two weeks later a guy from the TEXANS STAFF brought me 2 tickets for the game to be played in Tampa. Super Bowl XXXV. Baltimore vs. Giants. A guy I worked with was a huge Giants fan so I GAVE him the tickets. He and his wife went to the game. I did my part as nice guy. So did Bob McNair. The guy I gave the tickets to later took my place at Ch. 2. I haven't accepted free tickets since.
Happy LI.