This is a continuation of the Top Ten Things Not to Do list with a historical background. Today marked the anniversary of the first Sunday football game played in Philadelphia in 1933. If you were there, some actions are a no-no.
Top Ten Things Not to Do at the First Sunday Football Game at Philadelphia in 1933
10 At the first Sunday football game in Philadelphia, do not sit next to your parish priest unless you have been to church. If you do, at best you can take confession right there. At worst, you will be invited to a special service titled Miscreants of the Week. ( Of all the seats in the stadium you had to pick this one, Farzad.)
9 At the first Sunday football game in Philadelphia, do not forget to tip Tiny, the WWF Champ and now stadium vendor, for your hot dog. If you do, at best that mustard stain on your back will come out. At worst, Tiny who believes tips are a showing of love will think you hate him. (The time to vacate your seat is now, Fedele. That large tray of hot dogs will not rest well when Tiny lets it go in your direction.)
8 At the first Sunday football game in Philadelphia, do not try to eat a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich and cheer for your team at the same time. If you do, At best the guy in front of you is wearing a raincoat. At worst, your expelled cheesesteak bite goes down the collar of the police chief in the row in front of you. (I don’t think you will be able to explain this as an accident, Felicien. Good luck on your first night in jail)
7 At the first Sunday football game in Philadelphia, do not cause yourself to be over-celebrating on your carry in hootch just because the blue laws in Pennsylvania allowed Sunday sports. If you do, at best you’ll find someone to take you home. At worst, you will need an ironclad excuse for spending the night in the bleachers. (Gotta wonder why none of the cleaning crew found you huh, Fenris.)
6 At the first Sunday football game in Philadelphia, do not sit in the Chicago section wearing your Eagles jersey. If you do, at best the fans around you think you have a mental condition. At worst, as the game progresses someone may get the idea to remove you crowd surfing you over the lip of the Baker Bowl stadium. (It is a long fall from the top to the parking lot, Ferke. Flapping your arms may help a little.)
5 At the first Sunday football game in Philadelphia, do not think you don’t have to pay off your bet because the score was tied at 3 and 3. f you do, at best the bookie consider your bet too small to collect. At worst, your bookie is the kind who believes any no pay a matter of honor. ( Those cement overshoes are styling, Fidal. Might prove to hamper treading water though.)
4 At the first Sunday football game in Philadelphia, do not blow your large and loud horn to cheer on your team. If you do, at best you’ll be sitting alone. At worst, your fellow participants will tire of losing their hats, hair, and hearing and will stuff your horn where the sun don’t shine. (I know I’m surprised as well, Finnbar. I think that high decibel honk is terrific. Might be better on a MAC truck though.)
3 At the first Sunday football game in Philadelphia, do not ask your neighbor to share their popcorn. If you do, at best the corn will be gone. At worst, your neighbor has just been diagnosed with the flu and is more than happy to share. (Don’t worry, Fionn. In the 30’s the flu only took maybe half of those diagnosed. Oh, look a guy in a black hoodie carrying a scythe. I don’t see any hay that needs cutting do you?)
2 At the first Sunday football game in Philadelphia, do not run out and attempt to ring the Liberty Bell to count the first field goal points. If you do, at best the Liberty Bell Center in Independence National Historic Park will be closed on Sunday. At worst, your attempt at goodwill has been seen as a terrorist act. ( Well, you’ve earned yourself a nice cozy room in Guantanamo, Firmann. I have no idea why it is so dark here.)
1 At the first Sunday football game in Philadelphia, do not dispute how the Eagles got their name. If you do, at best there was no money on the fact that they got their name from the Blue Eagle which was a symbol for economic recovery during the Franklin Roosevelt administration. At worst, you now need to walk home since you put your car up to back your bet that the Eagles were named after the great American Bald Eagle. (You could have been right too, Flanagan. You might try putting your thumb out. Maybe some hapless fool will give you a lift.)
John,
You know . . I love the term ‘miscreants ‘. Tiny as a hot dog vendor? Not so much.
And the way the Eagles are playing right now, it feels like THEY might have been there in 1933!
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Ha haha. I think a rant is in order.
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You got me laughing – and on a Monday morning no less!!
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Oh good, GP. Make me feel good as well,
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Feeling very little sympathy for the Eagles after last nights game, John. At best is was a contest in a conference I don’t care about. At worst, I had picked them in the survivor pool and I’m out. Great list – not so great game.
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Sorry about the pool. You might be interest to know the Pittsburgh team played their first Sunday game in 1934.
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This isn’t a good topic in our house this morning. Derek is still licking his wounds after last night’s loss to the Cowboys. 🙂 Number 3 was hilarious!
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Lot of folks are with Derek.
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Good one. Love the Liberty Bell ringing.
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Thanks, Charles.
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I’m still thinking about a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich. Sounds good on a cold day. Great list, John, and adding the Liberty Bell makes it near perfect. 😀
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Bong. “Oooops did I crack that. I’m sure it was there before.”
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Great historical angle, John. “Miscreants of the Week” of the week”, great line, I always wondered where my weekly award originated.
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Ha ha ha.
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Another great list John. I learned when the first Sunday football game was and to tip the hotdog guy:)
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Only if it is Tiny.
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John, you kill me… Stay away from the popcorn!
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😀
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#4 – those horns drive me bonkers.
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I know right? I want a horn seeking missle
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I wouldn’t worry too much about that priest. When I saw your title, the phrase “Philly Fan” came to mind. I’m not sure what it describes, exactly, but I have this idea that the qualities it represents are spread pretty evenly through the population.
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Yeah. They booed Santa at the last game.
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What can I sat about Philly? They booed Santa.
Great post John
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Sounds like Philly.
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Another Monday chuckle, John! I think my favorite was the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich. Ouch! A night in jail…
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I’m glad you liked it, jan. I would like to get a Philly Cheesesteak right now.
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Is that Tiny pulling over to give me a lift? Think I’ll put my terrible towel under my sweatshirt.
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Ha haha. Good idea for sure.
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Hmm…the most important is to bring the ball for a game to take place! 🙂 Great instructions, dear John!
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Thank you, Maria.
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🙂
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Love that flu one! And I learned some stuff too!
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Thanks, Luanne.
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Funny! John. I’ll bet all the men at that game were smoking cigars, too! Wonder what the tickets cost?
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I know a movie was a quarter in 1933. Don’t know about a football game.
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These are always so entertaining John!! Now I am hungry for a Philly Cheesesteak!! Yum!
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I know right? I was wanting one yesterday.
😀
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Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out this post from John Howell’s Fiction Favorites blog with the Top Ten Things Not to Do at the First Sunday Football Game at Philadelphia in 1933
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Thanks, Don. 🙂
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You’re welcome.
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🙂
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I loved this, John! 4, 3, & 2 had me laughing out loud. Thank you!!
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I’m glas. Thanks, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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If that flu was going around at the time I think a stadium full of people would be the last place I’d want to be, let alone sharing my popcorn. My dad was in the U.S. Navy during WWI when that flu was spreading and woke up to see the guy in the next hammock had experienced a meeting with the visitor carrying the scythe and wearing the black hoodie. Good list, John. 🙂 — Suzanne
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That would not be a good wake up for sure. Thanks for sharing, Suzanne.
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Hehe, awesome John. I have never been mad enough to attend a live football game.
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You have to be pretty mad for sure. US football tickets cost about $109.00 AUD.
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