Early morning bird. Breakfast. And away to Raider Image to meet Eyepatchi-san, her son Andy, and some of Andy’s friends for the Jets @ Raiders game. But they were late so we bought some coffee and hot chocolate at the Starbucks and decided to meet at the Coliseum stadium instead.

The parking lot had already started to fill up when we arrived around 10 am, although the game started at 1 pm. But we were all arriving early to enjoy a traditional American tail-gate party. Or plainly BBQ in the parking lot behind your car.

   

The other years (this is our 6th year) we have made Japanese style BBQ (kushi-yaki). But this year Chie and I thought we could not have tail-gate party since Shimura-san could not make it due to family matters. And Shimura-san (living in San Francisco area) had tables and chairs.

Andy was very disapointed so he and Eyepatchi-san decided to prepare a tail-gate party anyway, American style. Meaning, hotdogs and hamburgers. With some Japanese ingredients like rice balls with ume-boshi (sour plum) wrapped in seaweed. And, of course, beer for everyone and Sobe (fruit soft drink enriched with vitamins and herb) for me.

   

   

After an hour the sky cleared. From grey overcast to blue. It was quite nice just sitting in a chair, relaxing, and being served hotdogs and hamburgers. This was quite a contrast from other years when Chie and I have prepared most of the food the night before and then doing all the BBQing (usually I) and serving (usually Chie) during the tail-gate party. So Chie and I enjoyed it very much.

Then, finally, it was time to enter Coliseum to watch the game. New York Jets @ Oakland Raiders. With Brett Favre as QB (quarter back/offensive engine) for Jets. It was exiting since Raiders is our team, but also since Brett Favre is a star QB in NFL with more than 14 years in Green Bay. Then last year he retired only to make a comback this year in Jets.

   

We had great seats at the sunny part of the stadium at the 50 yards line (mid-field). Since this was the away side we could also have a closer look at Brett Favre.

   

The game was really an exciting roller coaster ride for us. With some great plays mixed with rock bottom mistakes. Especially a punt fake play of the Raiders’s special team was great and fooled the Jets’s special team. Instead of the ball being punted to Jets Raiders could make a first down. And it looked like Raiders were winning. A first time experience for our game trips to San Francisco.

But then Jets had a chance to tie the game about 2 and a half minutes before the end. Field goal kick. But it went pole and out. The Coliseum were wild. People cheering. Then the referee declared that Raiders’s head coach took a timeout just before the kick. So Jets re-kicked after the timeout. And scored to tie the game. Resulting in overtime.

Jets won the coin toss and decided to receive the ball. I think most of the Raiders fans now believed it wold end as usual. With a loss. But the defense could stop Jets on the first drive. And the second. And third. Then Raiders advanced into the Jets territory. Only to be stopped. But Raiders decide to try a field goal. From 57 yards out. Janikowski kicked… And scored! A field goal from 57 yards (about 57 meters). The longest field goal to win a game in NFL history. Coliseum exploded in cheers. People made double high-fives with everyone, we were all friends now.

After the game we went to Ricky’s again. To celebrate. And watch Sunday night football. We were happy and tired. And we could meet Derrick Ramsey, and ex-Raiders TE (tight end). He was big. Hands like paddles. But seemed like a genuinly friendly guy. It was a great day!