I have an appreciation for kickers. I guess it’s because Sacred Heart never really had one. The last good kicker the Trojans had was my freshman year in 1996 when they had David Troya, an exchange student from Ecuador who played soccer. He kicked the game winning field goal in double overtime to beat Opelousas Catholic that year. I guess that’s why I always enjoy watching a good kicker, and I saw one Saturday night when Garret Urban put the game winning field goal through the uprights with seven seconds on the clock as Grambling defeated Southern in the Bayou Classic.
Saturday was my first time in New Orleans since LSU won the national championship in January 2020.
After I parked in the French Quarter to go pick up my credentials and parking pass, a guy standing on the street corner told me he had some good cocaine. I didn’t take him up on his offer because my blood pressure is high enough. What I did partake in was a slice of cheese pizza at Fat Boy’s Pizza and a hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s. It was good to be back!
I got to the Superdome early and walked around the field. Memories kept coming back from that night in January when LSU beat Clemson especially when I went stand in the same corner of the endzone I stood before the championship.
Later, I went up in the press box to check out the menu. It was red beans and rice. One thing I failed to do was post an obligatory food picture on social media. Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. But, I did post a picture of my hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s.
I had a press box and sideline pass, so I stood on the sidelines to take pictures during the game. If you watched the game and saw a guy with a Cubs jacket on the sideline, it was me.
The game itself was exciting, especially the ending, and I was lucky enough to snap photos of Urban kicking the field goal.
What made the game more exciting for me was watching the bands. It was the first time I saw “The Human Jukebox” and the Grambling band in person. They both put on a show, and, to top it off, Grambling’s band played “Neck.”
After the game, I couldn’t find my car in the parking garage. I kept going around and around looking for it. I even asked one of the parking attendants if any car was towed out of there, and he said none were. I walked around some more and realized I was on the wrong level. It was like when I couldn’t find my room in Jamaica. That’s a story for another time, though.
All-in-all, it was a great experience I am thankful to have witnessed. Also, thanks to Tendeep Randle and UGN for providing me with the opportunity for the credentials and parking pass.
Now it’s time for the next adventure.
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