Even Best missed this one, but it's a winner. Found it on the same Fox television website that trumpeted its decision to pull Seinfeld on Saturday night because Giants QB Eli Manning likes the sitcom.
A nun who won an essay contest that put her at midfield for the coin toss of the Packers-Seahawks game will be back in the same spot in Sunday's Packers-Giants game.
According to the contest rules, "The winner will be asked to repeat his or her duties for a second home playoff game, if applicable."
The Giants' win over the Cowboys makes that applicable. The Packers sent two more free tickets to the Holy Family Convent in Manitowoc, Wic. Tobin, 68, belongs to the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, and she's led them on field trips to watch the Packers practice. Former head coach Mike Sherman once visited the convent and personally bought the sisters a bigger TV after he saw the small set they used to watch the games.
According to the AP story: As Honorary G-Force Captain, Tobin was Lambeau royalty Saturday. And she wasn't shy about using her bully pulpit as she joined Brett Favre, Donald Driver, Aaron Kampman and Nick Barnett on the field to face Matt Hasselbeck and the other Seattle Seahawks.
"I just said today the ball is ours. You're not going to get it, Matt," she said. "That tickled Favre, and he got this big grin."
Tobin explained in the essay that her love for Packers football was instilled in childhood by her father, Bernie Tobin. She was born in Milwaukee and went to Mount Mary College before joining the convent in 1960.
The last game she attended with her father was the Ice Bowl. I know, everyone claims they were at that game, but she's a nun so I believe her.
"This game was a challenge. I was stuffed, long habit and full garb, into a sleeping bag up to my nose, and almost bunny-hopped over the bleachers on the last play," she says in her entertaining entry that beat out some 5,000 other hopefuls. It helps that she used to teach English in school.
"If the game had lasted any longer, my fingers would have been permanently stuck to my rosary beads."
Very cute story.
Now put Seinfeld back on the air!
Comments (2)
Bob: True story. I also submitted my essay to Packers.com trying to win tickets for the game. I wrote about how I wanted to take my dad to our first Packer game at Lambeau together.
There were 4 other essays in competition, but the fans all voted for her story. I guess the fans thought that she provided Divine help. Next time I write an essay to win Packer tickets I am going to mention that I am a pastor...
That is a great story, Karl.
I think you're on the right track to win.