Graphing IP NFL Games- how do you do it?

[cyberer]

I have been to about a dozen NFL games in my life, and while I have never tried to graph exclusively, I have never figured out how you would do it. Someone said wait by the tunnel, but at least at lincoln financial here in philly I think the tunnel is pretty well secluded from the stands. Also, I'm not sure ushers will let you down.

The only graphs I ever got at an NFL game was when I volunteered last year for the Eagles "tackling breast cancer" event done through my medical school. We sold hats Tshirts etc to benefit breast cancer research and got volunteer passes.

On the way there they led us through some access tunnels to get us to where we would be selling. We noticed though that these access tunnels were only guarded by one nice older guy who didn't seem to notice/care if the volunteers went back through it.

So we did. Once in there we followed arrowed signs that said "to field." Before we knew it, we turned a few corners and went around a bend and lo and behold the tunnel was right in front of us and we were looking out through it onto the field. The tunnel was lined by security guards, but we had our volunteer badges and we just made it look like we knew exactly where we were going and walked right past them.

Once on the field we started walking down the Eagles sideline. This was at 9am so no one was on the field yet. Suddenly security obviously figured out we weren't supposed to be there and told us to leave. BUT not before he agreed to take a picture for myself and my friends with all of us standing in the endzone.

We went back through the tunnel to our spot at the club entrance to sell things. After the game I saw Sal Paolantonio getting off the elevator and shook his hand and talked to him a bit about volunteering. He signed an Eagles pocket schedule for me. What's even cooler is that he whispered to me "I'm not supposed to do this, but look behind you and Leonard Weaver is there he'll sign for you too!"

I turned around and saw a big man sitting in a wheelchair. This was right after his catastrophic and potentially career-ending knee injury. He was really nice when I asked him for a graph and I told him the fans all loved him and that he should get better real soon. He thanked me and signed my pocket schedule.

I didn't bring anything to graph that day b/c I figured it would be in poor form in front of my medschool people. However when that situation presented itself I improvised with the pocket scheds.

Anyways, I digress. How would you graph NFL games if you DID NOT have access like that?

[bob9826]

Stand by the tunnel going to the field if you can in the seats
Or wait after and figure out where they exit the stadium

[mrveggieman]

That was a great story. I have never been to an nfl game before but I have stopped by the falcons pregame party several times before their home games and got a bunch of retired ball players autos. I also had a bunch of success in nba and wnba games. I'm kind of scared to shell out a bunch of money to go to an NFL game and not get any autos inside the stadium.

[jyosi]

Worst sport to graph inside. Besides the fact that it is tough to get signatures the tickets are way more expensive. Hotel or bust is pretty much how the NFL goes. Even then it is a pain in the butt. I hate graphing the NFL more than any sport. The weather, the time investment, the sheer number of people you are trying to keep track of. There is a reason NFL graphs go for more on ebay and it isn't because people like foorball more. It because these guy are tough to get.

[TTMcardMaster]

Worst sport to graph inside. Besides the fact that it is tough to get signatures the tickets are way more expensive. Hotel or bust is pretty much how the NFL goes. Even then it is a pain in the butt. I hate graphing the NFL more than any sport. The weather, the time investment, the sheer number of people you are trying to keep track of. Their is a reason NFL graphs go for more on ebay and it isn't because people like foorball more. It because these guy are tough to get.

cyberer-just keep your expectations low and stay near the tunnel

[lambeauleap87]

I don't go to a ton of NFL games and I've never actually graphed one...but Cleveland isn't terrible, since there's a visting team players tent outside the stadium (or there used to be). Only graphs I've gotten in the stadium are from a friend of mine who used to play for the Jets (LB Anthony Schlegel) who signed for me before and after the game, and gave me some game-worn stuff.

[Jaded]

your best bet is to attend training camp. Too much pain in the &^% to graph at actual games.