The Q-View

The 55-23 NFC Conference Championship game between the Eagles and Commnaders turned out to be a love fest instead of an invective-filled, nerve-wracking, setting-us-up-for-bitter-disappointment-typical-Eagles playoff disappointment. From beginning to end, it was an almost unique experience for me at Lincoln Financial Field. 

Matt, Cindy, and I arrived in the parking lot close to noon and parked in my preferred location near the Nova Care practice bubble. Shorter walk, which means quicker to get out at the end of the game. Soon we were joined by my brother-in-law, John, who drove up with his friend Tim from Washington.

Matt had told me that John was bringing a work partner from the law firm. 

“Is this guy an Eagles fan?” I had asked Matt.

“Yep.”

Nope.

Tim wasn’t overt about his loyalties, wearing a couple of Commander’s shirts under a jacket and a white Commanders’ hat. Tim was a former Commanders’ season ticket holder and lifelong Washingtonian, so you can’t begrudge the loyalty. I just didn’t want to get involved with any chest-beating, liquored-up, small-brained Eagles fans who seem to feel that proving their fandom means berating opposing fans, and sometimes Eagles fans.  

We had nice conversations before heading to the Linc at about 1:30 and, while a couple of people did notice Tim’s attire, the ribbing was good-natured, even when we were standing outside our section in the concourse. 

The walk was electric and Eagles camaraderie took the forefront. Matt did a very nice thing when he noticed one of the bootleg vendors selling his wares had dropped a ski cap. Matt picked it up and hustled after the guy, who was so appreciative he offered Matt a discount. Matt declined, but they had a nice give-and-take and parted with a bro handshake. 

Steve had made it safely from Long Island and joined us.

We swapped photo shoots with random fans. I heard somebody say behind me, “Nice jacket.” I turned to see another guy wearing the same style jacket I was rocking. “You have good taste I said to him. Go Birds.”

We made our way to the seats in 110 and greeted the man and his wife who have been sitting behind us since the Linc opened. He has managed to spill a drink on me at least once every season, but we never knew each other’s names. Until today. 

“What’s your name?” my wife, Cindy, asked. So Rich, Suzanne, Cindy, and I exchanged names and a few demographic tidbits. Suzanne and I graduated from the same high school, Archbishop Carroll, although seven years apart. Cindy is a beautiful, gregarious woman and much easier to strike up a conversation with than I am.

Our little section within a section had also kind of bonded during the wild card game against Green Bay when Cindy had a minor confrontation with three fans seated to her left. The twenty-something man immediately next to her bumped her several times, dropped his phone on her arm, and then got upset when Cindy said something to him. 

She and I exchanged seats and I had a conversation with the guy. He asked if I’d ever been to a playoff game before because I apparently should know that any behavior is acceptable at a playoff game. I politely disagreed and as the game went along, he stayed in his space, and we even high-fived after a couple of Eagles’ TDs.

His female companions were not quite so civil; drunk yes, chill no. Blondie drunk could have passed out at any time and was more interested in flirting with her guy, but black hair, round-faced drunk was aggressively obnoxious, calling Cindy a “f-ing bitch” several times and telling Cindy at halftime that she better change her “f-ing attitude” by the time round-face got back to her seat.

The season ticket holder in the row in front of me and a few seats to the left, which put him almost directly in front of round-face, exchanged a WTF look. The woman we now know as Suzanne was upset. 

In the second half, round-face left us alone and concentrated on some Green Bay fans a couple of rows in front of us, using the f-word several times in a one-minute rant, including saying something about their “f-ing genotype.” 

She also referred to touchdowns as a “tuddy”, as in “Let’s score a tuddy.” So cute.

When the trio finally stumbled to the aisle to leave in the fourth quarter, several fans applauded their exit and let round-face have it, including the guy I had exchanged glances with.

Before the next game against the Rams, a couple of people brought up the round-face experience and expressed sympathy to Cindy.

In contrast, the Commanders game could not have gone smoother. I had spent beau coup bucks to buy the two seats next to our regular seats so that the four of us could sit together. Worth it. I don’t get to go to games with Steve much anymore so it was a pleasure sharing the experience of this championship game with him. 

We set a high-fiving record with all the points scored and badly sang the Eagles fight song until we were hoarse. Cindy turned to me early in the game and told me the atmosphere was giving her chills and it was not because of the weather. The guys next to her were very nice and chatted her up during the game. No drunks in the area!

The fourth quarter was a party and with the Super Bowl now on the schedule we said our goodbyes until next season. 

And I lived long enough to see the Eagles in another Super Bowl!