Jets Fans in Nashville

Background

Four years ago the NY Jets were playing the Buffalo Bills to clinch the AFC playoff spot.  My friend, Lori, called me a few days before the game and asked if I wanted to go on a road trip.  I called my daughter, Christine, who was nursing her then 3 month-old baby and short story short, a couple of days later we were headed to Buffalo in December.  Snowstorm and all, an annual tradition of Jets fans on the road was born! Next was Miami, then New Orleans and this year – Nashville!! 

I used to be a real country music hater, but four years ago, I became a fan. I discovered country music has a calming effect on me, and I am all about relaxing my mind.  Since I can actually understand the words, I am able to sing along with some confidence.

Anyway, from the minute you get on the plane, you are surrounded by people of your ilk. In this case, the ilk is Jets Fans. A happy go lucky bunch of faithfuls.  The happiness grew with the camaraderie on the plane and a few J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets! Chants. Yup – we are a brotherhood of crazy folks who bleed green.

Nashville

Friday Night

The first night we went to the Wildhorse Saloon.  It happened to be right down the street and couldn’t have been a better choice. This place was the perfect start to our long weekend.  The group we saw was House Whiskey, and they were great!  Not only do you hear great live music, but Country Line dancing lessons are given between band sets.  My and my Jets boots got up and gave it a whirl.  You know what the best part was?  The other Jets fan that came by and said hello.  We all see and acknowledge each other.

One of their signature drinks was the blueberry hurricane. I stuck to my cosmo with lemon, but I heard the hurricane was delish.  Left the bar and up and down the block; Jets fans everywhere.

Saturday

At 8am I could hear all kinds of noise. I was lying in bed thinking ‘damn, it sounds like a parade is going by.’  I had a little headache from the cosmos … but WHATEVER … I didn’t have to do anything for anyone else but me for 3 days.  Put my pillow over my head and went back to sleep for a bit.

9:30 I got up and said to the girls, “Sounded like a parade was going by this morning.”  Well, guess what?  It was – The annual Nashville Christmas Parade! A few minutes later, we were out the door, and stood in the rain watching.  Nobody cared it was raining, we didn’t have to worry about anyone else, but ourselves. It’s amazing how that changes things.  It was certainly no Macy’s parade, but hey; Tweety floated by, we saw some country singers perform, and Santa closed it out.

From there we went to the Sun Diner for breakfast. Seat yourself, first come first serve at the counter (it’s all one big counter).  While waiting for breakfast, a homeless man walked in.  You just know.  He hung around the door and then wandered to the counter, got a seat, and they gave him a soda.  I could kinda tell he was a regular, as was another woman sitting by us.  Her belongings were all in the corner.

 I offered to buy the man breakfast. He gladly accepted and sat there waiting for a hot meal. The gregarious man was very thankful and said if he died that night, he had gone to heaven, and it would be ok.  He then sat there and carried on conversations with the people around him.  I like to think I helped him feel like a human, worthy of respect.

Another Hotspot we hit was Jason Aldean’s Rooftop Bar.  There was live music on each of four floors of fun and the roof.  The entertainment on our level was Greg Pratt. Singing with him was a young lady, Kensie Coppin.  I could have listened to Greg sing all day and the very pretty Kensie had a beautiful voice.  Together they had great harmony.  Nashville is definitely not lacking for talent, and this lady and gentleman should be on “The Voice.”

The view from the rooftop was spectacular, and we warmed up by the fire pit outside.  You know what else was on the roof?   Lots and lots of Jets fans!! Green t-shirts and hats everywhere!  There may have been a few Predator fans too, but we don’t care, we are surrounded by more friends who bleed green.

That evening we had tickets to The Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman.  Everyone performing is a member of the Opry with the hosts and hostesses being members for 40+ years.  I have only been a country fan for a short time, but all of these people were clearly respected by their peers and everyone in the audience.  It was a live radio program and a variety show of sorts.  Each performer had a different style of older country music and all entertained us with a Christmas song.  My favorite was John Berry singing O Holy Night.  I highly recommend checking out a show at the Ryman.  You have to know and understand the roots of music to appreciate how far it has come. Ya know what else?? You guessed it – more JETS FANS!!!

Game Day for the Jets Fans

Yay!! You wonder if that day will finally be a winning game!  Over the last couple of days, everyone you meet is hopeful.  Even the Tennessee Titan fans think it’s going to be a good game and maybe we win.  We are skeptical, bordering on cautiously optimistic.  At noon we head to a sports bar because the early game is all about fantasy football.  Christine found a bar with many TVs showing all the different games.  Also there, LOTS and LOTS of people wearing green aka Jets Fans!

After halftime, we start walking to the game.   It’s only a 10-15 minute walk to the stadium from downtown Nashville.   I dare to say that half the crowd is walking.  One of the things that are so interesting about going to these games is the different stadiums.  Each one has been unique in its own way. Our stadium is crazy with tailgating because nothing is in walking distance.   I didn’t see too much tailgating here.  The pre-gaming is mostly done in the bars downtown.

The sun was shining, and it was a beautiful day for a game.  I even got to see my niece who happens to live in Memphis and like almost all of the women in my family, a Jets fan. 

We took our usual down by the field seats and settled in for the game. Jets came out fighting and scored right away.  Matter of fact, we were up 16-0.  Do we get our hopes up?  Can we actually see our first winning game?  It’s still early, and we know better than that.

Nashville started making a comeback and slowly but surely, snuck back up until the 4th quarter.  Again – we hoped, but the reality of watching the Jets play is always at the forefront of our minds.  They kicked our butt the 4th quarter and the Jets, as usual, tired out.  Final Score 22-16 – the Jets lose with a minute to go.  I called the game a shit show, while others thought it was great.  Both teams have their problems.  I do have to say the Titan fans were great people.

We left and headed back over the bridge with all the other Jets fans to downtown Nashville.  What a beautiful view!  Nobody was bothered by another loss – I don’t think anyone was shocked.  We are Jets Fans; resilient, diehard and forever hopeful.

Our last dinner was at the City Tap.  Everyone agreed the food was excellent, especially the brussel sprouts.  This is the place to go if you want a nice, casual place with great atmosphere, excellent service, and eating with no loud music. The restaurant is a short 5-minute walk from downtown.

Jets Fans Going Home

Monday morning checkout was at 11 am, and we didn’t have to get to the airport until 2.  We discovered an original company, Stow Station, that has a truck and you can leave your luggage.  For a nominal fee of $20 for the day, you can still bounce around Nashville.  What a clever idea and convenient for us.

Our last meal, we all agreed was our best. We took an uber to the Pancake Pantry.  OH MY GOSH!!  We had to wait on line for 30 minutes, but in hindsight, I would wait 2 hours to eat those pancakes.  The Pancake Pantry is a local favorite – not a tourist spot!  People in the know, go there every time they go into town and my goodness, I promise you have never had pancakes like this ever in your life – GO! GO! GO

Random Acts of Kindness

When we emptied the fridge at the Airbnb, we filled the water bottles and gave whatever was left to a homeless person. They need clean drinking water too.  Such a simple thing that doesn’t cost you any money. 

Also, something easy that I will now incorporate into all my trips is to give away my leftover food.  If I am full and have to take it home, why do I need it?  No, I don’t.  

I have also made it a habit of carrying singles at all times so I can throw them in buckets or hand them to people in need.  I keep them in my pants pocket for easy access.  It makes me happy and is so simple.  At the end of the day, you don’t even notice it.  It’s my way of giving back to a place so graciously accepting me.   In this case, thank you Nashville!

Every person we gave to, was grateful and acknowledged your kindness –  but why wouldn’t they?  They are human beings after all.  They once had a home and probably have a family somewhere.  

Final Thoughts and Love for My Fellow Jets Fans

When you go on one of these trips, you are surrounded by other fans of your team.  Everyone was wearing their jersey’s or t-shirts. You meet lots of other fans, high-fives on the street, and conversations in all the bars leading up to game day.  For us, it ended commiserating with other fans in the airport about firing the coach and how we are such good losers. Remember this loss?  Remember that loss?  One thing is for sure … we are all great losers, laughing about it and agreeing that one day we will get that win, always hopeful and counting on getting that good draft pick.

One of the things I love about this trip is every time I go, I get to travel with my oldest daughter, who is genuinely one of my best friends. I do not mean that in the cliche way that others may say or is found in a greeting card.  We REALLY can talk about anything.  

I also get to spend some quality time with my friend, Lori.  We don’t talk every day, and we may not speak for weeks, but it doesn’t matter.  I believe sometimes the best friendships can be born through years of getting to know each other.  Like a good wine, sipping it slowly and enjoying the moments that you have.

I am so glad that I threw caution to the wind four years ago.  That one moment in time has given me quality time with my daughter and friend that is priceless.  It is a tradition that we can look forward to every year and have a new story to tell for years to come … and maybe even see a winning game.

oh yeah  – 

Nashville people are great, friendly folks – thanks for having us!

If you want to help the hungry people in our country, click on the link and 25% of #thinkGod products and apparel goes back to Feeding America.

Please be especially kind during the holiday season, many are not as fortunate.

Much Love Always,

Sandy

#enlighten #empower #inspire #educate #BeKind