~by Lora Koch, The Scranton Journal
Scranton resident David Didericksen received the surprise of his life from his parents, Cheryl and Dave, for his 16th birthday. “I had asked for a $20 iTunes gift card for my birthday,” said David, “so I was really surprised by the Saints football game trip.”
A sophomore at Greene County High School, David is a big football fan and the New Orleans Saints is his favorite NFC team. Not only were they going to the Nov. 24 Monday Night Football game versus the Baltimore Ravens, but Cheryl had arranged for great seats and a visit to the training facility.
“Originally, our tickets were at the very top, nosebleed section, top of the dome,” said David (pictured, left, with his father Dave, right). “My mom wrote a letter and talked to several people in the Saints organization. They called us back, and gave her an exchange slip for tickets in the front row. We were right behind the Saints team.”
When they arrived on game day, “I looked at the ticket and couldn’t wait to get in. We were in the front row on the 35 yard line. We were there at 5 and had to wait an hour before the doors opened at 6,” said David. Arriving early at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome allowed his family to watch warm ups and all the pre-game activity on the sidelines.
David is a fan of many players on the Saints team, especially #94, Cameron Jordan, who is a defensive end. “We are both #94,” said David, explaining his Greene County Rams football number during his sophomore high school season. Unfortunately, David was hurt during the pre-season so was not able to play last fall.
The best part of game day? “I could say I’d been to an NFL game. It was my first game ever,” said David. The not so good part? “The Saints lost. They led at halftime, but lost with the final score 34-27.”
Other highlights of their trip to New Orleans were Bourdon Street and the various cafes, and the National World War II Museum. They also enjoyed visiting the New Orleans Saints training facility.
“It has inside and outside fields, so they can practice depending on the facility where they are playing their next game,” said David. “After Hurricane Katrina, they used the training facility as an operating base.”
The facilities have extensive draining systems, so they can still practice even when it rains heavily. During Hurricane Katrina, it was one of the only dry places in New Orleans. The Mercedes-Benz Superdome is raised and also stayed dry, and housed people who had become homeless due to flooding.
David was impressed with the Saints private team cafeteria. “One section had a smoothie bar, and there are team chefs who cook only for the team and staff,” said David.
