VIP Access at the SuperBowl

In January of 1990, I was offered a ticket to attend the Super Bowl in New Orleans between the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos. The sister of a friend of mine was married to John Frank of the 49ers. I used my free airline tickets that I had won in a putting contest (see One Lucky Putt blog).

It was kind of last minute so I had to stay in a city north of New Orleans. I drove into New Orleans and met up with the players family (I had never met them). At first, I was nervous, because they acted like my ticket was not available. But they told me not to worry.

The next thing I know I am being escorted into the players hotel. While I was there, I was introduced to the owner of the team, Eddie Debartolo. I think that is how I got my ticket. It was a very good ticket, near the 40 yard line.

I checked out New Orleans, but since I was staying an hour away, I couldn't explore too much.

The actual game was a blowout. The 49ers won 55-10.

After the game, I was escorted into the players families waiting room where I met many of the players and partook in some food and refreshments. I actually got about 7 autographs, including Steve Young's (a hall-of-famer).

I still have the program, although, it may be on E-Bay one day.

One funny thing, the next day, in the USA Today, Jerry Rice of the 49ers was quoted as saying, the one thing he didn't like, was all the autograph requests they had at the post game celebration.

I have to admit it, I think I was the one who started the autograph barrage.