Ever wonder what it feels like to be in the heart of the action of a football game?  After last week, I don’t have to wonder anymore.                                    

During a conference I attended in Jacksonville, I was given the opportunity that many of my friends only dream of…a behind the scenes tour of the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, home of the NFL Jaguars (cue the pangs of jealousy).  After a brief stop in the weight room, we headed to the locker room and met a few of the players: rookie WR Tiquan Underwood, first year WR Nathan Hughes and DT Atiyyah Ellison, who at 6’3" and 322 pounds towered over me.

We got a glimpse of the players’ lives by checking out their lockers…pictures of family, colognes, Jolly Ranchers, etc.  One of the cool things we saw in all lockers was the new helmet, part of the uniform change unveiled in April.  The helmets are designed with a paint scheme that creates a mirror-like effect of black or teal depending on how the light hits them. 

We toured the press booth following the locker room and while the media definitely has one of the best views of the action, there is no way I would have lasted in there during a game.  We were told by our tour guide, Scott, that if a member of the press cheers in any way, they could lose their media credentials.  WHAT?  How are you supposed to watch a game and not cheer (or curse)?  As a very, VERY impassioned fan, there is no way I would be able to make that commitment…even for free tickets!

But the pièce de résistance was to come.  Through a doorway under a giant sign insisting those who walk under it to "Play Like Champions," was the field.  Walking onto the field, I felt so small with 67,000 fans in the stands watching me.  I’d like to say that it wasn’t a big deal since I have played football before…ok, so it was Powderpuff football in high school and I wasn’t very good…but it was a very surreal experience being down in the heart of the stadium and one I won’t soon forget. 

On the way out, I did a little good luck dance that the Jags would have a winning season and even make it to the Super Bowl.  And, when I watch games in the stadium or on TV, I’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that for a couple of hours, I knew what it was like to be an NFL player.

Check out the Jags in training camp Aug. 2-13 on the practice fields adjacent to the stadium.  The team’s first preseason home game is Aug. 22 versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the season home opener on Sept. 22 against Super Bowl team Arizona Cardinals.  Get your tickets at http://www.jaguars.com/. 

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