I left early and I usually never do but I had a 5 1/2 hour drive that night to my motel on the way back to Florida. The air absolutely got sucked out of the Dome and it felt like we just blew it. I will learn from my mistakes and move forward. I let the team down but I also had to factor in my drive over the mountains of PA.
I was with my sister in law and my niece. Neither are very big football fans, and I think both mostly came for the tailgate and to get a look at the dome renovations. They both cheered all game long and were good sports.
When Lutz fumbled, I told them 'listen, our chances of winning just went to less than 5%. I am okay with leaving now if you want. You have been very patient sitting through a game in a sport I know you don't like, and I have no issues heading back and getting you home now'.
My sister-in-law, bless her heart, surprised me. She said 'no, let's stay and see what happens. If they have a chance, we should wait it out. Don't you agree? (looking at my niece and me).
My niece agreed with her. I didn't argue and thank god she felt that way. Yes, the end of the game stunk but that was a epic drive to tie it, even if the failed attempt to even get the play off to win the game with a 2 point conversion was an epic failure.
I don't blame those that left. I bet we have failed to even get the ball back in that situation 19 of 20 times. Hope we all learned a lesson and will be more loyal fans in the future.