Gridirony

About forty years ago I wrote a newspaper article about an aging New York Giants fan’s near death wish. He’d told his buddies he wanted to eventually have his ashes deposited on the Giants Stadium football field, preferably on the 50 yard line.

My background details were far from precise. I’d overheard a conversation while eavesdropping during a bus ride from New York City into New Jersey just as we passed Giants Stadium in East Rutherford. I jotted down a few of the details about how Bert, the old fan, had his wish eventually granted.

After he’d passed away, Bert’s pals informed his widow of his wish and she agreed to contribute some of his ashes for the venture. Soon after, on a moonless night, a small airplane flew over Giants Stadium, circled once over the dimly lit field, dipped at midfield and suddenly,”Bert’s away!”

My published report of the incident included some of my thoughts about Bert’s intentions. For instance, could he have been a disenchanted Giants fan, worn down and so angered by too many losing seasons that he wanted his ashes tossed at the team?

Another thing I mentioned in the account was that the Meadowlands stadium was covered with Astroturf and visiting teams’ cleats would be picking up Bert’s burnt remains and distributing them in other NFL stadiums. Maybe that was his plan.

I decided, for this more detailed account, I’d check with AI to get some genuine facts about the actual conditions back then. There were some surprises.

First of all, according to AI, Giants Stadium was demolished in 2010 and the new MetLife Stadium was built on a distant site where it would also accommodate the New York Jets games. Therefore Bert might be spending eternity beneath a parking lot.

The old stadium’s Astroturf, which hardened over the years had been replaced because of increasing player injuries. Who knows where that artificial grass holding Bert’s burnt remains is now?