Well, the big day has come and gone. Clemson won 52-13. We left at half-time (probably with at least 25% of the crowd) and the score was then 38-7. The other team never had a chance in this game, though I admire their effort even showing up in Death Valley to face such a massive crowd and powerful team.
After being warned to leave 90 minutes early to drive 17 miles, it only took 35 minutes to get to the handicap parking lot. Busses were lined up, and quickly got us to the stadium a mile away. Called my Clemson Marketing contact (guy was working in conjunction with the St. Francis Marketing folks). We then had to walk 1/4 mile up hills to go to the Coliseum. Didn't really make sense, because after a few minutes talk, had to walk back to the stadium, with our field passes, and did indeed go on the field to take pictures and videos, and have the game ball presented. Many pictures were taken. Then we were escorted back to the coliseum, and had to kill 45 minutes waiting to meet back up with him. We did manage to find a park bench in the shade while waiting. Then back to the stadium, with 6 other people that were being honored (nothing to do with St. Francis), and we all spent about 30 minutes on the sidelines, as the players on both teams warmed up, and as the stadium was quickly filling up. After a quick trip to the concession stands and restrooms, we were escorted to our seats.
For the record, it was clear blue skies, temperature of 84 degrees (way hot for me), and high humidity, and virtually no wind. By the time I got there to we go in our seats, had already spent 2 hours under those conditions and was getting pretty heated, despite having the ultra high UV hat and shirt on, with a Clemson t-shirt underneath to be a good sport.
Hardest part was the climb to the seats. We were in the middle tier of seats, but still on row U, it was a tremendous climb not only for me with a cane, but for my wife with her back condition, and there were no railings to hold onto.
The Clemson rep apologized for all the false info that the St. Francis folks had given me. This was the first time they had ever had this merger of interests before, and the Clemson guy said the others had much of it wrong. There was never going to be any covered or box seating, never was going to be buffet meal as had been suggested.
Not being ungrateful, still honored to have been chosen and thankful for the free parking and tickets, but the first person at the hospital group had told me a lot of things that were never really going to happen.
Having never been to a college game, it was an interesting and exciting experience. The outcome of the game was never in question. And the crowd was rabid in a good way. And it was indeed a sellout. Saw a few empty areas, but the guy said even with a sell out, not everyone shows up. Made sense. Time went much faster than the average NFL game in my opinion. True to their word, at the first time out in the 2nd quarter, the huge tv screens lit up with my face and a short version of my story. After waiting for so long, it was over so fast, lasted perhaps 45 secs to a minute. The crowd then went nuts for me, I was stunned. It didn't help that my son kept pointing me out in the stands, sure I was beet red.
Everyone was hot there, not just me. Perhaps why so many left at half time like we did. My son/girlfriend came in a separate car intending to stay the entire game, but even they changed their mind and left when we did.
They have already posted a piece and video on the St. Francis Game Captain Page. I was surprised they used my lengthier interview from 2 1/2 years ago (before I had the Urostomy surgery and all the serious CP issues), I figured that would use newer material. But that was their call. In this older video, I was still advocating a base line at age 50, but in the caption, they mention my current position of age 40. Not a contradiction, just showing the age of the video clip. It's also mentioned on their Facebook Page.
Here's the link:
http://www.stfrancishealth.org/clemson-captains.html
During the time I spent with the Clemson rep, was able to preach the gospel of PC testing to him, he knew nothing about it, but was awed by my experience. And while my wife and I waited for transportation back to my car, two men (father and son, both older) came up and saw my game ball and started asking questions since I was announced with PC. What an opening. Neither the younger man or his father had ever had a PSA test before, I took full advantage and we talked for 10 minutes or so, and both were convinced they needed to talk to their doctor. So why I was no able to speak today to the crowd directly about PC awareness/testing, perhaps the tv message on the screen reached some, and the 3 men I talked to in person learned something.
As far as my health for the day. It was rougher than expected, even though I tried to prepare. Was way too hot, and I was getting dizzy spells early into the first quarter, and kept drinking tons of water and wiping down the best I could. Did not anticipate so much hilly walking, and unfortunately, much of that with the way things were arranged could not have been avoided. Climbing back down the stadium steps, I was so shaky, even my cane, and glad I made it to the bottom without falling. Made it home safely, and promptly took a 3 hour nap. Still pretty wiped out, and sore from the shoulder blades to toes on both sides, but it was still a great experience, and thankful to have been chosen and honored. Appreciate both what St. Francis and Clemson did for me. BTW, the game ball is awesome, already purchased a special plastic football display case, and my wife said we could even have it on display in our living room, lol. I think she was rather proud of me today too. Final note, for friends and family that watched the game via tv, none of this was shown on tv. St. Francis will be sending me hard photos and film clips to keep, will share them when I get them.
Over and out,
David in SC
Post Edited (Purgatory) : 9/7/2013 11:45:00 PM (GMT-6)