“It was an absolutely unbelievable experience,” said Daniel, 38. “The stadium was awesome, the game was awesome - everything was awesome.”
Danny, who had never been to a professional football game before Sunday’s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals, went to the game as a guest of his brother in-law Trinidad, 30, who won tickets through the NFL Network fantasy football competition. The pair also won round-trip airline tickets to Tampa, hotel accommodations, and access to VIP and exclusive tailgate parties outside of Raymond James Stadium.
“My God, it was awesome,” Trinidad said. “Our tickets were in the end zone. We didn’t need binoculars or anything. We saw everything - the (Larry) Fitzgerald catch that gave the Cardinals the lead, and the (Santonio) Holmes catch that won the game for the Steelers. It was beautiful.
“Before the game started, the buildup in the stadium was intense,” he said. “Then the teams came out and the place went crazy. I would say that about 90 percent of them were rooting for Pittsburgh. It was like a home game for them.”
Daniel said the singing of the national anthem was unbelievable. “Jennifer Hudson gave me chills,” he said.
The pair said that, as Cowboys fans, they weren’t really fans of either team.
“We really just wanted to see a good game,” Daniel said. “As the game got going, we thought it was going to a blowout, with Pittsburgh winning, but then Arizona came back, and things got really wild.”
Daniel said he still can’t believe the ending, with Pittsburgh winning 27-23.
“That I saw what everyone in the country was watching - in person - it’s wild,” Daniel said. “I was happy that the Steelers won though because Limas Sweed (Pittsburgh wide receiver) went to UT (the University of Texas).”
Both men were offered large amounts of money for their tickets from scalpers before the game, but declined, spending Sunday at a NFL-sponsored tailgate before attending the game.
“We took a bus over to a VIP tailgate that had a lot of celebrities and former football players at it,” Trinidad said. “Adam Sandler was there - so was Deion Sanders, John Elway and Tiki Barber.
“Everything was free. They had beer stations and barbecue stands everywhere,” he said. “Journey (the band) was playing. It was a good time.”
The pair said they would take memories from the trip that will last them the rest of their lives.
“This was the first time I’ve left Texas,” Trinidad said. “I couldn’t have had a better time.”
