Much like everybody I got the Virginia Tech football early in 2024. I live in Celebration, FL. This was the closest the Hokies were going to come to Orlando, and I was down to pay for tickets. I bought the tickets the first day they were on sale. I paid too much. I paid for it, and I was looking forward to it from Jumpstreet.
I was on the 45 in the front row. The love of my life had never been to a college football game. She is a University of South Alabama graduate and a current cast member at Walt Disney World. I’m an old restaurant guy who writes about the Hokies to fill the day. These were the best tickets I have ever had in my life, and I have seen some things.
I was a season ticket holder to Lane for approximately 15 years. I saw the Vick years. I saw a bunch of losing years. I was in Section 6 at Lane, which puts us about at the 10. I’ve been to all the bowl games (when we were there). I was at the Orange Bowl when we lost to Tom Osborne and a much better-equipped Nebraska squad.
The point is, these were really good seats in a hostile environment. When things started getting dicey, towards the end of the game, I wanted to leave. The once cordial fans wanted to fight. Here is a pic from halftime:
That was such a great #Hokies performance last night. @GobblerFighting pic.twitter.com/RrRnZMjlCU
— Roy Brandon Hatfield (@roybhatfield) September 28, 2024
That was me. I am the meme. I am the surrender cobra. I don’t necessarily do the cobra, but I hush my mouth. I mushed my mouth when I realized I was in a bad spot. Keep in mind the Hokies had dominated up until this point and I was a fan.
At this point in the game, the tide had turned. The love of my life started getting disturbed when more and more ‘Canes fans were getting in our faces. Keep in mind I’m 6’4” 240, and pretty fit. When they reviewed the play (twice) we just wanted to get back to the hotel. That’s when the night got bad.
The game ended and we were left on our own. We had club-level tickets at Hard Rock Stadium, so I mistakenly sought refuge in the club lounge. If you weren’t a Miami fan, be prepared to chat with every stereotypical Miami fan in the universe. I said “good game” so many times that it became a staple of our household which permeates today.
When I got tired of saying “good game” to the 70,000 ‘Canes fans they threw a beer at me. I said, “Way to dominate a 3-loss team and solidify a playoff spot.” I took a Coors Light to the noggin. When we eventually got to the hotel (2 hours later) I watched the game.
I have NEVER been in such a classless, scary environment in my life. I have been to every single SEC stadium and most of the ACC stadiums. Never felt “life on the line”. Never felt this was out of hand. The ACC head office cost us a pivotal win, and good on 'em. Never again.