I'm not really a football fan. I watch it, but only because the men in my life love it. I usually find a book and a blanket and go to my happy place while the neanderthals smash their heads together any given Sunday.
I know, so un-American.
When I heard the news that the Vikings would be playing their final home game at TCF Bank stadium I laughed...outdoor football game in December in Minnesota!? That sounds about like the worst thing ever. Those people will freeze their faces off.
Then, when it was announced that the game would be general admission, first come first serve, seating, I laughed again. There are 15,000 less seats at the U of M stadium than the Metrodome. The gates open at 5 p.m. and the game starts at 8 p.m. and there has been talk about people lining up as early as 2 p.m. That's six hours before the game even starts. By the time the 4th quarter winds down people will literally be frozen in their seats — that's if they even get in after waiting in line for two hours.
And that's exactly why I'm going.
I haven't done a ton of research, but as far as I can tell the Vikings have only played a handful of outdoor games at home. This one being the first in nearly 3 decades. While I started out asking "Why in the world would you want to go to that," my tone quickly changed to "How in the world could you miss that?"
I bought myself a sweet Vikings all-weather beanie that I plan to sport at tonight's game along with my 14 layers of clothing. The weather service is saying 5-9 inches of snow in Minneapolis. I have no doubt that it will be freezing and miserable, and the odds are that the Vikings will probably lose, but we will be there.
We'll be part of the story of one of the most historic Vikings games of all time. For that I can brave the cold.
I know what you're thinking — what if we don't get in? Don't worry, I've already thought that through. We'll just use our refunded ticket money and enjoy our evening in the Cities from a nice warm indoor restaurant where we can watch the Vikes finish out their home season on TV. At least we'll know we tried.
And then hopefully the accumulated snow will be kind enough to let us make our way back up north.
Stay tuned...
