"We waited a long time for this; the Colts moved to Indianapolis in 1984 [from Baltimore]."
By JPOST STAFFamerican football 298.88(photo credit: Jay Abramoff)
After the Indianapolis Colts clinched the franchise's second Super Bowl appearance about two weeks ago, Jerusalem resident Josh Hasten immediately began making travel plans.
He booked flights to South Florida even before his brother was able to get two tickets for Super Bowl XLI in Miami.
"This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I had to take," said Hasten by telephone from Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Monday as he was getting ready to board his return flight.
A five-year resident of Israel, Hasten grew up in Indianapolis. "We waited a long time for this; the Colts moved to Indianapolis in 1984 [from Baltimore]," he explained.
The atmosphere at the game did not seem to favor the Colts. "Even though it seemed like Bears fans outnumbered Colts fans at least 3-to-1 and despite the pouring rain, the Colts had the edge and losing was not an option."
Hasten is not just a diehard football fan, he also plays on two flag football teams. His short, Saturday night-to-Tuesday afternoon trip allowed him to take the field for one of his team's playoff game on Friday afternoon and he expects to play in his other team's semifinal on Tuesday night.
