It was the end of the work day on Friday and I would be kidding myself if I thought I would actually get anything work-related accomplished. So I logged onto Philly.com to see what was happening in our little world. The first pictured story's headline was something to the effect of "4,000 years for season tickets". I clicked on the story which was about the 60,000 people on the Eagles season ticket waiting list and considering the fact about 15 (give or take a few) new people each year get a season ticket plan, it could take close to 4,000 years for your name to come up.
This sent me into a panic. My first payment was due sometime back in March and the balance for my season tickets was due sometime the beginning of June. I had gotten a statement but had plenty of time to pay it, so I didn't make payment right away. It was now June 1st, and I had totally forgotten that this was due at this time.
The fact that I even have Eagles season tickets is due to divine intervention as far as i'm concerned. The story goes like so:
My father had season tickets dating back to the 60s when the Eagles were still playing at Franklin Field. I have such fond memories of going to see the Birds kick some cowgirls butts with my father growing up at the Vet. In 1994, my father passed away and I moved to New York for college. My mother, who is the farthest thing from being a sports fan, decided it was OK not to renew our Eagles season tickets. (I still yell at her to this day for this decision.) This was the late 90s, just before McNabb came on board. When I graduated college and actually made enough money to buy tickets to the games, the Eagles started showing some life, and I would have to go to great lengths to try to get game tickets. Often, I spent more time seeing them on the road because the tickets were easier to get.
Then, one day in early 2004, as I was sitting at my desk as the General Manager of an off-broadway theater in New York, I got a bizarre phone call. It was from a person who claimed to be a big shot in the Philadelphia Eagles Office and was calling on behalf of the owners. Ha - clearly, someone is playing a joke on me because they know that I bleed Eagles green. Our conversation continues and this guy isn't faltering in his story. His purpose of the call was to see if he could get tickets for a sold-out hit that was running at my theater for Christina Lurie - the wife of Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie. It turns out she's a huge theater buff. Who knew?
This person had no idea that I happened to be one of the biggest Eagles fans of all time. I excitedly told him my story - about my father, and the road trips and he shared his stories (he's been with the organization since 1960!). We totally hit it off and by the end of the phone call he said "I like you - i'm going to see what I could do for you." He just thought it was so cool that he called this random theater in NY and got this huge Eagles fan on the other line that doesn't quite fit the stereotypical mold. After a few more phone calls that day, I had season tickets again!
I still have his email and his cell phone - he still works with the Eagles and we keep in touch. We still haven't met in person but someday, I hope we will! So this will be my third season with these season tickets - and I was so close to losing them because of my stupid procrastination! Luckily, the deadline is Monday, June 4th and I was able to make instant payment over the internet. Phew! That really was a close one!
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