First Home Game.....Nearly Perfect

[TuckerMax25]

So me and my wife drove from Houston on Friday afternoon. Due to traffic we got her a little later than we wanted on Saturday but all in all an easy, yet boring drive. Saturday night we ate at Cowbell Burgers and Whiskey Bar on Tryon st. Pretty decent place, pretty loud but good price and good food. I hate sweet potatoes but their sweet potatoe tots are one of the best things I've ever had. After dinner, we went to a couple bars. Nothing really great, overly packed with the young crowd but a successful night nonetheless.

Game Day. We got to the stadium a little before 9 to go to the team store. Was awesome, dropped a few hundred bucks real quick, but well worth it. Before the gates open we met a security guy who was pretty awesome, but also the reason the day wasn't 100% success(I'll explain later). Anyway, he told us to find him after the game and he'd get us into where the families went and see some players. Was really stoked about that because I just wanted to meet some and shake some hands. We sat in sec 130 row 5 which was pretty cool. I was nervous because we're loud, and didn't want some Debbie downers asking us to sit or shut up. Everyone around us was pretty cool. We yelled the whole time, cheering for the Def and all. 

 

Post sh game we went out, the security guy got us through the one area to meet players where the families go, were super excited at this time....only to find out, he got us to the Saints side. once we realized we were on the wrong side, we walked around to our side and most of the players had left unfortunately but there was a saving grace. First we saw Gano which was pretty cool, wife thinks he's quite attractive. Shortly after Tolbert came out, and I was going to say anything because he was with his family, but some fans encouraged my wife to tell him we drove all the way from Houston. He happily obliged and came and took a picture with us. It's always awkward because I don't want to take away from their time with their families, but was pretty stoked to get a picture with him, as he's one of my favorites. 

 

Side Notes- was really happy to see all the players interacting with fans way before the game time.Tillman, Gano,Nortman. Saw all of them give some kids high fives and hugs. Love seeing players do that stuff to "give back" and cheer up the little ones. Also, the stadium, is awesome. Layout is great, I love how it's indoor but also outdoor in the concourse, all the trees. Everything. Far and away the best stadium I've been to. Had a great time, will be attending the thanksgiving game and this trip may have solidified our near future move to Charlotte. Thank you for a great event. On to Tampa

[osd22]

Have a safe trip back! 

[SIGCHI222]

You originally from NC? 

Would be great to start getting transplants that are already Panther fans rather than the other way around.

[jackson113]

As we were leaving we seen Tomas Davis leave in a golf cart....reminded me of an old thread.

[PhillyB]

awesome!

[Mr Mojo Risin]

Great story hope to have one of my own very soon.

[bigskypanthersguy]

Montana, here.  Glad you also came a long way to watch the game today!  I was trying to attach some photos of my own experience but not sure it worked, so I'll wait for better internet. 

[TuckerMax25]

You originally from NC? 

Would be great to start getting transplants that are already Panther fans rather than the other way around.

nah, originally from New York. Army moved me to Texas. Became a panther fan because when I was younger my sperm donor of a "dad" sent me a hat and t shirt of the Panthers when I was younger and that was the first memorabilia I ever received of a team. Been a fan ever since.

[SIGCHI222]

Montana, here.  Glad you also came a long way to watch the game today!  I was trying to attach some photos of my own experience but not sure it worked, so I'll wait for better internet. 

Don't leave us hangin.  Look forward to your post too.

[SIGCHI222]

nah, originally from New York. Army moved me to Texas. Became a panther fan because when I was younger my sperm donor of a "dad" sent me a hat and t shirt of the Panthers when I was younger and that was the first memorabilia I ever received of a team. Been a fan ever since.

Well, at least he did that.  Come to think of it, if your opinion of him is as low as it reads, seems like you would have went in the opposite direction and picked anybody other than the Panthers.

Glad it didn't and glad you had a great time. 

I did not particularly like San Antonio when I was a kid the few years I was there and my time there while in the military was mixed.  Survival school was actually my fondest memory of Texas (that's not saying much).

[bigskypanthersguy]

Don't leave us hangin.  Look forward to your post too.

believe me, I have a metric ton of things to post.  It's just, my hotel internet is considerably spotty but I plan on being around downtown Charlotte tomorrow so expect more there.

I, unfortunately, have yet to meet a player but I met a couple under-the-radar huddlers.

Big shoutouts to Cardiaccats and of course Panthersfanz.net's cookinwithgas.  CWG in particular invited me to the Panthersfanz tailgate and was truly awesome.  I thought about trying to visit the Riot but frankly didn't have the energy left in me.