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So, my son and I had tickets to the Redskins v. Eagles game Sunday nite. It's always tough for me when the two teams meet because, to be honest, I root for both of them. Yeah, yeah, I know... how can I do that you say. The Eagles are my hometown team. I grew up in the Philadelphia sports scene. The Phillies, The Flyers, The Eagles, The Atoms. Anyone remember the Major Soccer League Philadelphia Atoms? I do. I went to at least two of the games and had an Atoms pennant. So, when I moved away first to Ohio, then to Maryland, I still followed the teams, but not quite as closely.

Then came my thirties, when I felt a resurgence in my television aptitude for Major League and College sports. Not sure where it went in my twenties, but it was back with a vengeance. Living in the Washington metro area at the time, and given the fact that Baltimore didn't have a team then, I somehow started watching and rooting for the Redskins. 15 years later, and I guess you can call me a fan. I usually go to one game a year at least and it happens to be one vs. the Eagles.

So, I am torn... the team I grew up with vs. the team I now live near. On the other hand, it gives me opportunity. If one of them is having a bad year, the other is always there! Talk about a fickle sports fan.

Anyway, this Sunday, since I was taking my son (age 11), and didn't feel like getting hassled on the way in or out of the stadium, we dressed in Redskins garb. Truth be told, we have both in our closets. Yes, I am raising confused sports kids as well.

So, after our hour long metro trip and .9 mile walk from the metro stadium to FedEx field, and our journey to the top level of the stadium (400 section) via the endless zigzag walkways, we were POOPED.

As we were looking for our section, I noticed some people who appeared to have Independence Air apparel… shirts and hats standing nearby, so I figured the might be giving out freebies. Flyi.com is one of my favorite airlines and I use them frequently on my trips to Florida. So, I steered my son and I closer to the man and woman in business attire, hoping we might get some goods, and in the process, caught the pair’s eye.

At this point, they notice us and say to my son and I, “are you feeling lucky tonite?” We of course say yes, figuring the t-shirts are seconds away. Well, we get a surprise; in that they tell us they are upgrading our seats to FRONT ROW, 50 YARD LINE! Wooooo Hoooooo!

So, they escort us to our seats right down front behind the Eagles bench and into our blue leather, high back, highly cushioned seats with a spectacular view. At this point, they give us each a free t-shirt, hat, and fan. They also inform us, snacks, cokes and the like are on the house and we are going to be on the jumbo-tron in the second quarter.

Wearing the Redskins apparel paid off big time, and as it turns out, the skins won. We had a great time thanks to the airline I use more than any other. Sweet.

The i Rony?

Independence Air filed for chapter 11 yesterday. They are looking to auction the company off in the next 60 days.