Are you kidding?

Note: I've had some choice moments to blog on lately (see Sergio yesterday at the PGA) but nothing with a ton of meat on the bone (see my helpless Twins somehow in a pennant race?).

But then it happened, I received my Gopher Football Tickets in the mail. An annual rite of passage for a diehard fan like myself. Ah, the ticket design, the opposing teams, sizing up wins and losses and so on and so on. You get the picture right?

I get to the Iowa game and for those keeping score at home that is the last game the Gophers will play the Metrodome. The ticket is different shaped (it's square) and its got pictures of all kinds of recent Gophers on there (Tyrone Carter, Darrell Thompson, Ben Hamilton, etc). But the 6 words on the bottom made me throw up in my mouth. Quote "Celebrating 27 years in the Metrodome" End Quote. Do I need to say another word? Since it's a sports blog I think its my rite of passage to lament the worst 27 years of my football watching life.

First of all the words celebrate and Metrodome should never be allowed in the same sentance, much less thought, daydream, or haiku.

Since there have been so many bad moments in the Metrodome (note: any response poking fun at the team's poor performance the past 27 years will be censored).....nothing needs to be written on that. It's well documented.

Here are 5 highlights (short list):

1. 1993 Wisconsin. 6:00 start to a Wisconsin/Minnesota game on a 70 degree fall day was a bad recipe for loud drunkeness from both sides. The Dome roof nearly came off on one of the final plays of the game (Rosga INT).
2. 1984 Iowa. Chip Lohmiller hits a 60 yard field goal at halftime.
3. 1998 Michigan State. 10 points in the final 2 minutes...Homecoming win. This Fall will mark the 10 year anniversary of my last hangover.
4. 1999 Penn State. Okay this victory didn't happen at the Metrodome (you see my point yet?). Minnesota defeats then unbeaten ranked #2 PSU on the final play of the game (Nystrom FG). Note: I was there. I was also there in 1997 when the Big Ten officials gift wrapped a victory for their beloved JoPa making this victory very sweet.
5. 2008 Iowa. Final game at the Metrodome.

If you have any highlights...please add below. Save the wisecracks. Trust me, I've heard 'em all.

P.S. Also, in my season ticket packet was a future schedule. Within a 4 week span next fall, these 3 teams will be playing at TCF Bank Stadium: September 12 - Air Force, September 19 - California, and October 3 - Wisconsin. Only 7 more games to go!