"I was gratified to be able to answer promptly, and I did.
I said I didn't know." - Mark Twain
From: Oliver Barry <oliver@bobparks.com>
To: gatortalk@googlegroups.com
Sent: Mon, September 17, 2012 12:18:29 PM
Subject: [gatortalk] The Tennessee Game
Before my diminishing usage of brain cells prevents further recollection of it I will offer my observations of the game.
Shane and I started from my house in Hendersonville at about 9:30 am local time on Saturday. Perfect weather.
Stopped for Starbucks in Gallatin and were off!
We saw quite a few cars locally sporting Gator flags, etc. I took it as an omen.
Next stop was at a gas station at about mile 300 on the interstate. A large van pulled up with all UT fans who mostly ignored us.
One of their brighter members shook his head at us. I think he may have already been into the sauce. That was about 10:30 am.
Next stop for lunch at a Subway. Two highway patrol officers came in while we were eating. One joked that he didn't want to see any Gator fans yet.
We talked for a while about football predictions, etc (he was a really nice guy) then moved on.
Got to Knoxville where the fun started. Found a parking place for $20 and headed to The Strip to find tickets.
We walked for a bit holding up 2 fingers. Found prices at $200 to $250 apiece. Kept walking.
Just as Shane was getting tired we walked up to an older gentleman who said he had 4 tickets and wanted to get rid of 2.
He asked what we would pay. I offered $100 each and he accepted. I think if I had offered $80 he would have been ok with that too. The face value was $75. He told us he and his son were up from Chattanooga and his son is a Gator.
He was looking for someone his son could talk to. Then he dropped the bomb. He is a Georgia Graduate!!!
But, we accepted the tickets anyway and sat with them at the game. They turned out to be two of the nicest people I've ever met. (that was difficult to admit to)
Next, off to the stadium. We had about 2.5 hours before game time at that point, but I didn't know what else to do. My whole mission up until that point was to get tickets and we landed the best ones we could have possibly gotten. Oh yes, the best part… They were on row 25 in the lower bowl. We were just above the UF band in the middle of the Tennessee section. They were great seats!!!
We walked toward the stadium through back streets. There we walked past a high rise apartment building with balconies.
There were young males standing on the balconies shouting bad things. I learned a couple of new words. Shane already knew them.
I responded to one guy in a car who was giving us the one finger salute and hurling un-nice comments with, "Hey, I can see you're a UT graduate!"
That didn't go over well. Shane complained someone screamed in his ear while we were on The Strip. I'm sure he must have provoked the guy.
On to the Vol walk. We watched from quite a distance. I was impressed at that point with so many Tennessee fans who walked by, offering to shake hands and wishing us good luck.
Then into the stadium to find Leon . He had texted me his section and we walked up (way up) there.
Found him and Paula hanging out at the underside of their section. There was a beautiful view of the Tennessee River from behind the cameraman who took our photo.
Stood with them awhile and on to our seats.
Lots of Tennessee fans around us. I was impressed with how much they really expected to win that game. When the Knoxville police posted the news that anyone caught storming the field after the game would be arrested it was clear there was no option or consideration for losing. I must have seen over a hundred posters during the day that said something about, "It's our year!"
Everyone was very friendly and no one seemed to mind us cheering for the Gators. I refrained from using any of my newly learned words.
Of course you saw the game. It was as loud as UF can be at several points during the game. Fortunately, I had worn my lucky shirt.
I was very impressed with Jeff Driskell. To be able to keep us in the game through the first half handling the ball the way he did, as a sophomore, was truly admirable.
After we went ahead 27-14 the mass exodus was on. The way the game had gone I was surprised to see it begin there. But, the aisles weren't nearly big enough to get them all out.
After that you could see lots of blue. The team came over to the band after the game and they played the Alma Mater, but as close as we were we could only hear the Tennessee band playing. They were miked to loud speakers! I still have that damned song going through my head!
Anyway, after the Alma Mater Will Muschamp ran over and did a couple of Gator chomps, you've seen the photos, and that got us all worked up again.
Long wait to get out of parking. Long wait to get on the road. Then smooth sailing to home. No bad fans on the way back. J
Oliver Barry CRS,GRI
Real Estate Broker
Bob Parks Realty
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Gallatin TN 37066
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