Big Al

I went into the equivalent of a Dollar Store yesterday in Bangor. A man in his 40s wearing an Eagles pullover was stocking the shelves. I told him I lived near Philly for 15 years and asked about his attire. He said that Channel 4 began showing American football in 1983. He watched the first game and he's been hooked ever since. "I love it, I just love the game." But why the Eagles? The first game was between the Eagles and the NY Giants and the Eagles won. He also loves history and has enjoyed visiting Philadelphia, Gettysburg, and Washington. I told him he probably knows more about U.S. history than most Americans.

He was a big fan of Ron Jaworski. He's been to Veterans' Stadium. I told him I'd hear a lot of grousing on Monday mornings about the Eagles' performance. He agreed that they haven't done well in recent years. The conversation was bizarre. He's traveled to a variety of football stadiums. He once rented a Chrysler sedan and, with his wife, drove all over the country, starting from the West Coast and ending in Minneapolis 3,000 miles later. He says he wished he'd emigrated to America when he was younger. His wife, who also works in the store, said she likes visiting the states but wouldn't want to live there.

He also likes the Phillies and has a red jersey. He told me the name of the player on the jersey but I forget. I think he also has an Eagles player's jersey but, again, I no speaka that language.

He is fairly typical of the people I meet here. Friendly, outgoing, funny. I told his wife I would write about Big Al in my blog. She said Big Al is famous everywhere he goes.