Panther's Stadium Tour

about 2 weeks ago my friend Deborah and i decided to take our kids on a tour of our local football stadium. every wednesday they do a public tour. the guide said it was the most crowded he had seen it in months. just my luck. so we carpooled downtown, found super-close parking and headed out. of course we parked on the opposite side of the stadium from the gate we were supposed to enter by but we got to see lots of monuments and the gift shop. first they took us out into the stadium. we couldn't go out on the field because they were printing lines and symbols on it. they guide told us all the blah, blah, blah about what happens there and how our stadium is the best in the NFL. (just what he said) but the whole time he was talking they were jack-hammering something up on the top of the stadium. thank goodness we were right in front of him because most people couldn't hear a thing he said.
then he took us upstairs. and since there were sooo many people we had to take two trips in the elevator and were smushed in with a bunch of strangers. i could just feel the germs flying around in there. yuck! we got to go into the visitors locker room. the public is not allowed in the panthers locker room. i guess they have secret stuff going on in there! it was sooo freakin' hot in there we were dying. the room was boring but it was huge. once again the guide told us that it was the best visitor locker room in the NFL. i wonder if he gets a bonus for every time he says that. the kids were kinda bored because he just talked on and on and on. we got to see sir purr (mascot) and the top cat's locker rooms (cheerleaders). we learned about lots of internal stuff that goes on during games. even deborah, who hates football, really enjoyed herself.

then the really good stuff. we got to go into the special boxes. those things have it all. and boy do you pay for it! we even got to see the super-special box that is named for jerry richardson. (the panthers owner) they made us stay on the carpet and not get on the nice floors in that room! we wandered around some more and ended up in the press boxes. those people have it made in there! they don't even have to watch the game. the stadium provides them with all the stats they need to write their columns. and tons of free food. what a life. i think several kids decided then and there they were going to be sports writers after seeing that!
i was really excited to see the room where they do the tv commentary. the room where john madden does his magic. and boy what a let down. just a boring room with a duct-taped table. i guess they gussy it up when the stars come to town.
at the end the guide asked us if we would like to have a free panthers calendar. of course the hands went flying up let me tell you. then he decided that it was time to clean out the closet of all of last years stuff. and we got one of everything. what a bunch of junk. the kids loved it! and we didn't have to buy anything in the gift shop!
all in all it was a super great day. the kids really enjoyed themselves! i think we spent a total of $13 and that included parking! as we were leaving, amelia who is 4, said mommy, when does the game start. so cute!