You’re in Tennessee on business and you get an email about your season-seat renewal date. The logical solution? Drive 17 hours back to Toronto.
So that’s exactly what Terry Palmer did. 17 hours straight starting at 4:30 Wednesday afternoon to make his 1pm window. As a season ticket holder, Palmer was given priorty on his seat selection and he wasn’t taking any chances on missing out on the best spot at BMO Field.
“I wanted to pick my seats right away,” said the long-time ticket holder, who left his trip early to make it back in time. “This is our league and the Argos are my team; the CFL is a huge thing for me and my family.”
Palmer’s account had been open since 1948, held by a long-time friend and then transferred to him in the late 70s. He speaks about his team with the same passion and vigour that you’d expect from a die-hard fan. He sits with the same group he’s sat with for the last 20 years – “You know Smitty?” he asks. “He has pretty much every piece of memoribillia.”
We certainly do know Smitty.
Palmer’s been to the last 23 Grey Cups. He knows the history of the league and the Argos, the pain of the late 70s, the thrill of the win in 1983, and he knows exactly where he wants to be when the Double Blue hits BMO Field in 2016: the 50-yard line, row 22.
“I can’t wait for this season!” he said. “Outdoor football in Toronto. The Argos are exactly where they should be.”