a sensory X(FL)perience
A Sensory X(FL)perience : The LA Wildcats 2/23/20
PRE-GAME
Driving into the lot with a clear mind
New league, the XFL, what will I find?
Smells of the tailgate
Sight of rams and raiders
Sounds of laughter and chatter
Beers
Pizza
Laughs
EZ-ups
Burgers
Chips
Foldable tables
Football is in the air
No defined faithful for the LA Wildcats yet
It’ll just take a bit more time I bet
Events are needed for all to enjoy each other
To engage, to live, to spend time with your mother
A family friendly place to be
80s, 50s, or even the age of 3
School of rock band shredding on stage
Giving these kids a platform, a beautiful way to engage
Local marching band sharing practiced pieces
Hanging with your parents, cousins, maybe even nieces
Bring a table, bring some buns
You cook the dogs, let’s have tuns
Passing car to car, noticing the big time food spreads
Others are humble, eating pizza from truck beds
Several smiles constantly seen
Regardless of the logo, supporting their team
Head on into Dignity Health Sport Park
Scattered with sun, following its usual arc
Stadium filling up
Another beer, yup
Hop in the booth, food ready to be munched
I said I was vegan, I may not get much
Loren, the security guard, the nicest guy in the box
Curt Menefee in the next booth, “that guy is from Fox.”
GAME
For the Love of Football
LA Wildcats Vs. DC Defenders
Carson, CA, 64 Degrees
Empty seats outnumber filled ones
Stadium feels as full as loaded guns
Throw is anything but trash
Still unable to make the catch
Wide open down field
Defenders defense cannot hold up a shield
40 yard bomb for the score
The game is scoreless no more
Fans stand tall and loud on their feet
With true belief the Wildcats can’t be beat
Small crowd but DAMN it’s loud
#33 Springs with the interception
Boy oh boy are these fans proud
Don’t let the size deceive you
The XFL is a good time, “I believe you.”
The bright green field makes you feel alive
The grass grows bountifully and thrives
The sun begins to set
The first time the Wildcats and Defenders have met
People in the booth around me typing away
No time to look up and appreciate the ray
But it’s the feeling which matters and makes the call
Sifting through stat-filled articles, where’s the button to “Close All?”
Cross your arms and give your hands some claws
It’s wildcat territory, at the door you leave your paws
Cmon cmon let me tell you a story
One all about wildcat territory
No guarantees, but it might get gory
So sit back, relax, no need to hurry
DC Defenders struggling at the beginning
It’s early though, like the 1st inning
Never seen fans so stoked for helmet shuffle
The sound of cheering, almost as sweet as a caramel truffle
Fans are filled with FUEL
Excuse me Honey, you spilled my moscow MULE
Sorry babe we just made a big play
You’re right, okay, I want to stay
End of the 1st, Wildcats on a tear
Fans stick around, show how much they care
ANOTHER score, Wildcats back on the board
Something they wouldn’t mind to hoard
DIVE for the 2 pt conversion
Watched as they took an excursion
Crowd so hyped, even I had to clap
Media leads are impartial, but I don’t give a crap
Whitfield’s wheels take the punt around the corner
DC fans are quickly becoming mourners
MAN this place feels electric
My eyes to the field are magnetic
Nat Geo on the screen in my peripheral sight
At a football game, doesn’t exactly feel right
ANOTHER score for the Wildcat hide
This TD goes from Josh Johnson to Tre McBride
People wouldn’t even care if their team took a fat loss
As long as during the game there is a T-shirt toss
Touchdown AGAIN for the cats
DC getting stomped on like mats
27–0
4:44 in the 2nd
Full wave completed in the crowd
This place still staying real loud
27–3
Half
Fourth pick off Cardale Jones
The man’s stat line looks like a pile of bones
XFL or NFL the game still holds loads of danger
The helmets don’t hold the head in a manger
FLIP into the end zone for the six
The flame of the XFL is all in the mix
Martez Carter the man
Having fun cause he can
LA showing pure domination
Feel the mission, the best in the nation
Interception AGAIN for Cardale
Might be pulled, might be time to Carbail!
Band is going OFF
33–3
End of 3rd
Fans on the tip of their toes
Drunk, the smell of beer in their nose
SPRUUUUUUUUUUCE
Carter a high flying bowling ball
Try to knock him, he won’t fall
39–3
Fans peacing out,
No chance for DC, time to pout
Amazing the looks you get when you’ve got a credential
People look at you as if you have infinite potential
#28 Martez Carter is stoked on life, taking in each and every day
He has a beautiful opportunity, just to play
The energy and smile he brings is inspiring, even from afar
Backflips, high fives, the man was born to be a star
High fives on the field from the cats crew
These fans just want something to cheer for with you
The Wildcats win with a jeer
39–9
Final Score
Wildcats, now 1–2 for the year
A total team victory
No longer a losing team in XFL history.
POST GAME
So many people involved in these events
Coaches, players, staff, fans, and parents
Media fiending to get news
When all the fans do is drink brews
But it keeps the game moving forward in popularity
Asking a question to a player though, man that can be scary
Wildcat QB Jackson stacked against reporters like books on shelves
“Behind the 8 ball right now, gotta keep being ourselves”
Sitting in press conference room, scared shitless
Am I going to ask a question or will I miss this?
Don’t want to be too serious, because it’s just a game
Plus asking about what happened seems lame
I want to ask, “What’s your favorite movie?”
Maybe too insensitive after a loss, plus they don’t know me
HEART POUNDING
Hand SHOOTS up
To Cardale Jones “What are you looking forward to, doesn’t have to be football related?”
“Just looking forward to watching the tape. First adversity we’ve faced. Looking forward to seeing how we respond.”
That wasn’t too bad
Question was rad
But, how to crack the trained answers?
Gotta ask the untrained questions, like an improv dancer
Worried that’s a waste of everyone’s time
But at the same time, they’re here, we’re here, might as well have some fun with it and insert a more personal chime
On the way out, slipped in the bathroom, guy said “man I thought I was drunk”
Thought nobody saw it, but turned into some funk
Even a small comment like can make your day
There is power in what you say
Overall, the XFL is a fan first game with loud crowds and good action
As time moves on, these teams could gain some traction
People just want to party, people just want to engage
Football isn’t about the game it’s all about the frame