Miami Dolphins and their followers say farewell, Madrid, ‘It was lovely’ for first NFL recreation

MADRID — They got here from all through Spain, they got here from world wide, they even got here from Palm Seashore Gardens.

Mitch Weiss, 64, a retiree from PGA National, obtained an e-mail from the Miami Dolphins in the future saying they’d held a lottery that might decide which season-ticket holders could be supplied the prospect to buy tickets to a recreation that, like most NFL worldwide video games, was a fast sellout.

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“I apparently received,” stated Weiss, who didn’t even know the lottery existed.

He forked over $300 for tickets, rationalizing it was a small payment in gentle of a number of thousand for airfare and lodge lodging in Spain.

Off he went, by no means figuring out he’d be there to witness not simply the primary NFL recreation in Spain, however the first Dolphins victory within the nation. The Dolphins edged the Washington Commanders 16-13 in overtime on Nov. 16 earlier than a crowd of 78,610 within the Bernabeu stadium, residence to Spain’s legendary soccer membership, Actual Madrid.

Extra: Miami Dolphins’ dramatics in Madrid save day for Mike McDaniel, Jack Jones | Habib

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“I had by no means been to Madrid, so I stated, ‘Yeah, I’ll make a trip out of it,’ ” he stated.

Weiss grew up in Binghamton, N.Y., in a household of Bills followers. So he grew to become a Patriots fan earlier than shifting to Florida and switching allegiances. “The Jets have simply been dangerous endlessly,” he stated, explaining why the circuit by the AFC East is incomplete.

As soon as contained in the Bernabeu stadium, Weiss discovered himself in a futuristic enviornment wherein organizers opted to maintain the retractable roof closed. If their intent was to lock within the noise, take into account it mission completed.

The place was loud when the Commanders made a play.

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The place was louder when the Dolphins made a play.

It was greater than a recreation. It was an occasion, a spectacle. It included time taken to honor members of Spain’s navy for preserving the nation secure in the course of the pandemic. It additionally featured honorary captains Dan Marino and Zach Thomas and ex-Actual Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane.

This was a Dolphins residence recreation, mirrored each on video boards and the P.A., the place the acquainted voice of Onerous Rock Stadium announcer Ron St. John could possibly be heard (together with Spanish bulletins interspersed).

“Welcome to the sector, your internationally identified Miami Dolphins cheerleaders,” St. John stated.

Within the first quarter, referee Shawn Smith introduced a delay-of-game penalty in Spanish.

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The musical choice was eclectic all through, beginning with the 1971 hit, “By no means Been to Spain” and together with the “Macarena,” “La Bamba,” the Dolphins’ struggle tune and Marc Anthony’s anthem, “Vivir Mi Vida.”

That left solely two belongings you knew have been coming: “Candy Caroline,” with the gang naturally becoming a member of in in the course of the “So good, so good, so good” half, and “Take Me Dwelling, Nation Roads,” the refrain echoing all through.

“It was lovely,” linebacker Bradley Chubb stated of the expertise. “It was an incredible time. Any time you’ve got bought an opportunity to get in another country and broaden the sport. It is the primary recreation out right here in Madrid. It has been wonderful. Simply the tradition, the meals, the paellas we had. All the things’s been wonderful. I am wanting ahead to this sooner or later, if we might do that once more.”

This text initially appeared on Palm Seashore Publish: Miami Dolphins, fans enjoyed Madrid – and beating Washington Commanders