| As the Eagles and Bucs fight in the trenches for the right to go to to the holy grail of championship games, today we mark the passing of a dear friend. I speak of a friend that has been an Eagles fan for generations and has been lucky enough to say "I was there..." I spoke with that close friend recently. "I was there when the Eagles played their first game on Broad and Pattison," she said. "I was there during many bad days, and a few glory days. Remember, Wilbert Montgomery's run or Randall Cunningham's 91 yard punt? Well, I was there." The journalist in me, made me ask. "How about the 4th and 1 stops of Emmitt Smith or the many receptions of Mike Quick? Do you remember them?" She replied, "Of course, because I was there." Needless to say, I was sitting with a season ticket holder and card carrying member of the Eagles Fan Club. So, with the NFC Championship Game staring Philadelphia in the face, I asked, "Are you going to Sunday's NFC Championship Game?" She cheerfully responded, "Of course, but you won't be able to find me." At this point, I was sort of puzzled, a bit confused and bewildered even. "Why couldn't you be found? Is your seat that obscure?" I asked. "Well, you could say that," she responded. "What do you mean?" I queried. Then, in a somewhat somber, melancholy voice, she said " I won't be found, because on sunday like most other games, I'll be overshadowed. I'll be overshadowed by the screaming fans, the judge and his court down the hall, and the biggest game to hit Philadelphia in generation. But, it's okay. I don't mind. I've played second fiddle for years now. I'm just glad to be a part of it all in some small way." And, indeed I'm glad that her namesake, Veterans Stadium, has been apart of it in some small way over the years. |