Arriving at the international terminal of Philadelphia airport, I wore a Seattle Seahawks shirt. The night before, the Seahawks defeated the Eagles and I got into some good-natured back and forth with a young airport security guard. I continued on to Customs and after a brief wait I was guided to the next available Customs official. This gentleman was direct from Central Casting, looking as an officer of any kind in Philadelphia is thought to look. Although I couldn’t see his facial features as I approached, I sensed that a certain recent football game was on his mind even without the logo of the opponent in his front and center. I did my best to appear sheepish as this person had the power to allow me back into the United States. As I handed him my passport I said, “I’m sorry”. Close enough now, I saw that this gentleman was direct from Central Casting, looking as an officer of any kind in Philadelphia is thought to look. The one corner of his mouth turned up as he paged through my documentation and after a few seconds he replied, “Don’t be sorry. Be mindful.”
Somehow I knew immediately what he meant. He thought I was from Seattle and that I didn’t know that wearing gear of a team not Philadelphia-based was an unnecessary risk, especially ” the morning after”. “I’m from here”, I clarified, to which he exclaimed in surprise, “YOU’RE FROM HERE?!?!?!” He stamped my passport as he stared at me. I was touched by his concern for the naive visitor he perceived me to be. I was proud to know that when people enter this country via the City of Brotherly Love they will be met by an Eagles fan watching out for a guest in his hometown.
There was no reason for this Customs Officer not to grant me entrance back into America but I’d like to think he respected this Philly girl’s freedom of choice and bravery. After all, it may be a stretch, but this is exactly what George & Co. fought for. I did hear, however, that Samuel Adams was a Cowboys fan. Be mindful, Sam. Be mindful.
