THE THIRD DAY OF PRACTICE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DUBLIN
My day could have ended there, but I still had one more engagement to fulfil. As part of the NFL Experience, they had organised a game of football between Ulster and Leinster and I had been asked to referee it.
Still a mite delicate from the previous night, I made my way to the other side of town to the rugby ground where the NFL Experience was being housed. The place was very busy, building up to the Nike Football Challenge between a representative player from football, Gaelic football, rugby and soccer. The representative for football being our own Kordell Stewart.
I searched vainly for the other officials for the game that was kicking off as soon as the challenge was over. I had this awful vision of doing the game by myself. I watched the first part of the challenge, which was kicking a soccer bail. Kordell's went 60 metres plus. I didn't see the rest of the challenge, but I understand that Kordell was joint winner and if it hadn't been for his poor dribbling skills, he would have been the outright winner.
I changed into my official's kit and the three Irish officials turned up and asked me to wear the white hat. One of them presented me with our game tickets, so after a bribe like that, how could I decline? I haven't done too many games this season, what with doing the chains at the Monarchs and with my enthusiasm for the English game wearing thin. I didn't want to be the referee, but you can't choose your moments of glory - they just evolve.
As soon as I took up my position for the first play from the line of scrimmage, I felt a buzz. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I hope the other officials did as well. The team wearing black and gold from Ulster won 38-16. I spent an enjoyable couple of hours in the bar after the game talking with one of the officials, Michael Brophy.
It was to be an interesting day for your editor. Keen to understand what duty would be required of me, I ventured down to the stadium well over two hours before kickoff. I didn't have to walk; my adrenaline just carried me there.
Trying to let the right person know I was there proved impossible. As I walked from one place to another in an attempt to find out what my job entailed, my life began to pass by me.
I chanced upon Myron Cope as he was making his way up into the press box. I spoke to Nick Hailing again - he mentioned that he even had our newsletter with him! I was waiting on the sideline when three officials from England, over to operate the timing mechanisms made themselves known before disappearing to the press area.
I was given the task to find a certain NFL official, who required two people to become runners for the media. So, there I was once again looking for someone whom I had never met, in a place where I didn't know anybody.
I also found myself with some assistants, which was slightly bizarre – as I didn’t have anything to do yet. There we were, on the Steelers sideline, four civvies, raring to go, but with nothing to do. I eventually spoke to a NFL person who talked via a radio to the person who required the runners. "Don't let them move. Keep them where you are," I heard. Move they didn't dare.
Game time was now rapidly approaching and four guys, no make that five as yet another had now joined us, stood on the Steelers sideline - and I am afraid that we were far too conspicuous to stay there for too long.
During the game we were asked by NFL officials to vacate the side-line – but where to go? Eventually we came to a compromise. Using our field passes, we found seats on the fifty yard line before returning five minutes before the end to see the Steelers score their final touchdown. It was great to see the high fives and words of encouragement that George Jones (picture left) received from his fellow players and coaches.
Greg Lloyd also ran the length of the team area to exchange a comment with the Bears' Anthony Peterson after the score - all in good spirits and that's what the whole week was about. The atmosphere was great – and we can thank the Steelers for that.
After the game, there was a little session in the pub before moving back to the hotel with a few cans. During the game, someone came around selling Irish number plates made up with the Steelers name on it. I thought what a good souvenir, but didn't buy one because of the problems carrying it back onto the field. I am glad to say the lads, as usual, did me proud and presented me one.
It had been a great week. The Steelers were magic, on and off the field. The members of the club were good company, so thanks to everyone who went and I think they all enjoyed the experience.