No chance of drifting away here.
I never thought that I would ever see a real NFL game. Not a game in London but the real thing. An NFL game in an NFL stadium. Where better to go than Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears.
The stadium is stunning. You can walk from downtown along the shores of Lake Michigan to the game. Like many NFL stadiums there are no covered stands so even if you spend a weeks wages on your ticket you will still be exposed to the elements, including the bitter wind that blows across the lake. The sun might shine brightly but you still need to wrap up well
Fans arrive early. Some arrive very early. Many enjoy pre game food and drinks at tailgate parties.Some like me just want to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the views.
The game itself is amazing. I saw 2 games. Bears versus New England Patriots and Bears versus New York Jets.
What can I say about the Patriots game?
I saw one of the greatest players playing for one of the greatest teams. Tom Brady is 41 years old yet he is performing at the highest level in a brutal sport. Mind you, if you saw the guys whose job it is to protect him you would understand why. The guards and tackle positions of The Patriots are staffed by monsters. I bet their mum’s love each and everyone of them. Patriots defeated The Bears 38-31 in a cracking game.
The following week I saw The Bears defeat The Jets 24-10. The Bears are like Leeds United, there are signs of improvement.
I love this sport. There is so much going on. To see how players smash into each other and then get up off the ground is fantastic. Of course the most glorious sight is when a quarter back launches an enormous pass that miraculously falls into the gloves of a wide receiver who is flying full pelt towards the end zone. Incredible!
I relish my memories of the games I saw. Great games, great stadium and great fans such as Ben, Julie and Matt.
I can’t wait to go back.
Gordon's Gubbins. 