I live in Nassau County, FL. It’s the northern-most county on the east side of the state. It’s basically Georgia. I am as far away from Miami as possible without going into the Florida Panhandle. Having
said all that, I was excited to make the trek to Miami Gardens to watch the Canes play in person for the first time this season. I was lucky enough to see Cam Ward and Co. three times last year. My best friend James (the most reasonable Gators fan I know) was willing to go with me. I even pre-booked a couple hotel rooms in Fort Lauderdale at a good price. I figured the trip would cost be a couple grand between the tickets, hotel, parking, food, etc. Not bad.
I was hoping Michael Irvin was going to figure out who I was, then invite me to watch the game next to him on Miami’s sideline. Much to my surprise and disappointment, that didn’t happen. Oh well. I would find a couple decent tickets online. Oh how naive I was. When I saw “nosebleed” seats going for $3,500 each, I had to refresh the webpage just to make sure there wasn’t a glitch. I figured those would go for $1,000-$1,500. Guess not. When I texted James (who has considerably more money than me) how much the “nosebleeds” were going for, he responded with a “Yikes. Seems high.”. I couldn’t have put it any better. We were both ready to spend some money for a fun and memorable experience, but the ticket prices simply made it not worth it. Younger single-me would happily make the trip and spend the money. Current husband/father-me cannot pull that trigger.
That brings me to the title: where should I watch the natty on TV? I basically have four choices.
Bar/Restaurant
There are limited options where I live. Yulee and Fernandina Beach are not full of restaurants and bars. The only places within walking distance (and by walking distance, I mean about a mile) are a Chili’s, Gator’s Dockside and a small bar called The Goat. Chili’s closes at 10 PM. Also, it’s a Chili’s. The Goat is a narrow bar with only a couple TVs and not much of an atmosphere. Hard pass. Gator’s is okay, but the food is terrible and beer isn’t that good of a deal. Also, I can pretty much guarantee I will be the only Miami fan there. No thanks.
Home
I have always preferred to watch Miami Hurricanes football games at home. I think any die hard fan of a sports team can understand that. My wife is great in letting me have the living room mostly to myself for the games. Though I will say, my young son was a good luck charm against both Texas A&M and Ohio State. Monday night is different though. This is the championship game. This is it. Every play is life and death. I won’t be able to be still, let alone sit down. My wife saw a lesser version of this fanaticism during the second half of the Ole Miss game. She is just fine with me watching this gigantic game elsewhere. My wife knows me very well.
Fernandina Beach hotel
Now we’re talking. A nice suite for a Miami Hurricanes football championship game? Heck yeah. I started looking all over Northernmost Florida and Southern Georgia for a non-luxury hotel with a presidential suite. There weren’t a ton of options. The first I looked at was at the Hampton Inn & Suites in downtown Fernandina Beach. It’s a cool, old school hotel in a great location. However, the presidential suite isn’t in the top corner and is basically surrounded by other rooms. I don’t want noise complaints coming from my hotel neighbors before halftime. Also everything shuts down early in Fernandina, so there’s no going out for a postgame drink and/or snack. Need to find a better option.
Jacksonville
And then I struck gold: a solid hotel close to downtown Jacksonville with a presidential suite in the top corner of the building for just under $300. Perfect. I then found a couple cool restaurants within walking distance that have happy hours. Yes. I was planning on having a cocktail and light dinner before kickoff. After all, I have to save room for a large amount of beer and some unhealthy snacks over a four-hour period of time. Even better, my buddy James is going to come by and watch it with me.
Miami’s chance at a sixth national championship deserves a presidential suite viewing experience. Not a bar, not my couch at home, not an old fashioned hotel in a sleepy town. A nice spot in a fun part of a cool city. A place where I can celebrate after the game appropriately, with quality food and drinks.
And if the Canes lose (a scenario I don’t want to even consider), I’m only out $300.
GO CANES!
