I am probably going to have a better day than you today

[Raising Heel]

So my Little Brother (from Big Brothers / Big Sisters) and I have been chosen to participate in Purr's Pals this week. What is Purr's Pals?:

Sir Purr [the mascot for the Carolina Panthers] teams up with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte to provide a Big and Little with a lifetime memory through the Purr's Pals program. During the week of each Panthers home game, a Big and Little share the un-fur-gettable experience of a purr-sonal behind the scenes tour of Bank of America Stadium. A highlight of the tour is a sir-prise visit by Sir Purr, who presents the Big and Little with an even bigger sir-prise, tickets to a Panthers home game and the paw-some thrill of delivering the game ball into the stadium.

We're touring the stadium tonight, including the press box and locker room. Then we'll receive tickets to the Panthers-Falcons game on Saturday and get to be on the field before the game for player warmups. The best part is that my Little has no idea about any of this. I can't wait to see the look on his face tonight!

 

[TarHeelMark]

That's really cool RH. The memories that you and your little brother will get from this will be priceless.

 

[heelz2345]

I dunno, my boss brought free sausage biscuits for the office this morning.

Seriously though, that sounds awesome, I hope you guys enjoy that!

 

[gunslingerdick]

Awesome experience for y'all. Please check back in and let us know how your Little reacted to it all. I assume he's a big football fan? Have you never taken him to a Heels game?

I attended a wedding reception in Panther stadium years ago. We basically had run of the mill.

 

[Raising Heel]

I assume he's a big football fan? Have you never taken him to a Heels game?

He has just started to take interest in the sport. His gym class has been playing flag football and he wants to try out for the Saturday league. He doesn't know a lot of the rules yet, so I've started teaching him some of the basics.

He knows that I have season tickets to UNC games, but I've tried not to pressure him to like football just because I do. I do want to make sure he'd enjoy a college football game before taking him. It's a big commitment of time, and travel, and the special permission required from BBBS to make a trip out of town together. We've gone to Charlotte Knights baseball games and Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets basketball games, and sometimes his attention wanes. Probably not unusual for a 10-year old kid.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

He has just started to take interest in the sport. His gym class has been playing flag football and he wants to try out for the Saturday league. He doesn't know a lot of the rules yet, so I've started teaching him some of the basics.

He knows that I have season tickets to UNC games, but I've tried not to pressure him to like football just because I do. I do want to make sure he'd enjoy a college football game before taking him. It's a big commitment of time, and travel, and the special permission required from BBBS to make a trip out of town together. We've gone to Charlotte Knights baseball games and Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets basketball games, and sometimes his attention wanes. Probably not unusual for a 10-year old kid.

Why wouldn't he enjoy a college football game? Do you sit beside wackos or something?

 

[heelz2345]

Why wouldn't he enjoy a college football game? Do you sit beside wackos or something?

Or tailgate with them?

 

[WhatTheHeel?]

He has just started to take interest in the sport. His gym class has been playing flag football and he wants to try out for the Saturday league. He doesn't know a lot of the rules yet, so I've started teaching him some of the basics.

Just be sure he understands that this is not a catch...

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Just be sure he understands that this is not a catch...

View embedded media

OMG, no. That's a catch. The NFL is retardation, personified.

LOLZ, plus the NFL blocked the content.

 

[Raising Heel]

Not sure if it'll be on the TV broadcast, but keep your eyes peeled between the 1st and 2nd quarters of the game on Saturday. My Little Brother will be escorted onto the field by a TopCat to receive a special gift from Sir Purr. No idea what it could be but after a personal tour of the stadium, tickets to the game, sideline access, and a free parking pass it could be pocket lint and I'd still be excited.

The tour was awesome. We got to see just about every part of the stadium, although they wouldn't let us take pictures in the locker room or the weight room. Unfortunately my Little Brother is going through a phase where he thinks it's cool to not smile. I know he's excited, though. Saturday should be a lot of fun.

I think the most impressive part of the tour was the video production room. It's incredible to see how much is going on behind the scenes of an NFL team: graphic design, social media, the drum line, the cheerleaders, the announcers, the media booth, etc. Here are a few pics from our visit:

 

[heelz2345]

That's awesome dude, glad you enjoyed it. After Fedora was hired, he led a student tour of Kenan, and that was a lot of fun getting to see all the details behind the scenes so to speak. I'm glad you guys had an awesome experience

 

[Raising Heel]

That's awesome dude, glad you enjoyed it. After Fedora was hired, he led a student tour of Kenan, and that was a lot of fun getting to see all the details behind the scenes so to speak. I'm glad you guys had an awesome experience

I remember seeing a story about that. Can I assume you were part of that tour? That would be cool to be able to say.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

It took me a full 30 seconds to realize you blanked out his face. I thought he was just looking down at his feet and had a black beanie on...

I should probably stop drinking.

 

[heelz2345]

I remember seeing a story about that. Can I assume you were part of that tour? That would be cool to be able to say.

Yeah I was part of that, coolest part was we got to run out of the tunnel while he was beating on the top of it.

 

[Raising Heel]

It took me a full 30 seconds to realize you blanked out his face. I thought he was just looking down at his feet and had a black beanie on...

I should probably stop drinking.

At this point, you might as well keep going.

 

[Raising Heel]

 

[Raising Heel]

^^^ Not even making that up. The kid in the picture was dancing to the pre-game music when the official was walking past. The official stopped, turned to the kid, and said, "You dance during the game and I'm gonna have to flag you." All the adults were cracking up. It was friggin' hilarious.

My Little Brother got called onto the field at the end of the 1st quarter with two other kids. The Panthers staff wheeled a giant sled with presents onto the field. My Little was first in line and got a Sir Purr bobblehead and t-shirt. The little girl after him got a poster signed by Cam Newton and a t-shirt. The last little boy was 4 years old. His name was Solomon and his dad was in the Navy. I know this because we all spent the first quarter sitting in the "green room" inside the stadium, waiting to be brought onto the field.

Sir Purr gave Solomon his first gift, which was a signed game ball. Pretty cool. But Sir Purr had one more present for him that was in the sleigh. It was Solomon's dad, home from a stint overseas. That stuff gets me choked up every time, and today was no different.



Once we all got back inside the stadium, there were a couple cameras on the dad as he answered questions for a feature that will probably be on the Panthers and/or NFL site later. On the way up to our seats, I got a chance to thank him for his service, welcome him home, and wish him a Merry Christmas. I wish you could've seen the look on his face. That's one of the most sincere thank yous I've ever received.

What a day.

 

[UNC71-00]

I like this thread. This is a good thread.

 

[TarHeelMark]

Awesome story RH. Thanks for sharing. Hope your Little had a great day as well.

 

[coolwaterunc]

Why wouldn't he enjoy a college football game? Do you sit beside wackos or something?

Kenan's atmosphere is way too ruckus for a kid. It could be way too intimidating for him and would be traumatizing. Better wait until he's older.

 

[coolwaterunc]

Also, RH, that's pretty damn awesome.