By Jim CaplePage 2

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — Stop me personally if you have heard this 1 before: A sportswriter, a chick from MTV’s “Real globe” as well as an Amish chain-smoker go into a club to view the Super Bowl.

The folks who make $300 throwback jerseys, the Arena Football players who sacrifice their bodies for $30,000 a year and a 99-pound woman who holds the world record for eating chicken wings in my week-long quest to find the heart of Philadelphia and Eagles fans, I talked with the Santa Claus who got pelted with snowballs. We toured Independence Hall, consumed Philly cheesesteak and got hopelessly frustrated attempting to drive around town hall. We went up the actions to your Art Museum while humming the theme from “Rocky. “

Also to round away my experience, we drove away to Pennsylvania Dutch nation on Sunday to look at the Super Bowl one of the Amish.

Just do it. Make your punch lines up. My buddy, Rod, did. Just when I told him I became likely to Amish nation to look at the Super Bowl, he developed a listing of the most effective 10 concerns the Amish Would Ask as you’re watching the Super Bowl:

10. “Hey, just just what took place to your Bud Bowl? “

9. “Wouldn’t that Jillian Barberie look hot in a modestly cut dress of an excellent color textile, black cape and a prayer bonnet? “

8. “could it be simply me personally, or will be the commercials more entertaining compared to the game? “

7. “Paul McCartney. Was not he for the reason that musical organization, Wings? “

6. “The Eagles call that a offense that is two-minute? My buggy goes faster than that! “

5. ” Did you observe that? Doug Mientkiewicz just went down because of the soccer! “

4. “It really is halftime. That reminds me personally. You think Janet Jackson’s cousin is responsible? “

3. “Bradshaw — are you going to simply SHUT THE $#%& foot fetish teen UP. “

2. “Why are the Patriots in a 4-3 protection when they often remain in a 3-4 protection against a moving team? “

1. “What Exactly Is Disney World? “

Therefore, no, I becamen’t precisely certain just what I would personally find, that was type of the idea. Like most of us, my understanding of the Amish — A christian that is strict faith bans automobiles, TVs and electricity — ended up being basically restricted to duplicated viewings of “Witness” and “Kingpin. ” To put it differently, stereotypes.

The stereotypes, however, commence to peel away right when I reach the city of Intercourse (no jokes, please — they will have heard all of them currently) and drive at night neighborhood college. Here on the play ground are nine Amish kids tossing around a green soccer with an Eagles logo design printed upon it. They will have simply completed their Sunday solutions; and even though their parents visit next door, they truly are playing only a little touch that is two-hand. Had been it maybe not when it comes to conventional garb that is amish it may be a scene anywhere in the united states.

Well, that as well as the known reality the children are courteous, helpful and respectful whenever I stop to talk.

Dave Esh Jr., 15, assures me personally that the Amish, indeed, have an interest when you look at the Super Bowl; and like everyone that is most else in this area of the state, these are generally rooting for the Eagles. They don’t view the video game on TV, needless to say, however some might sneak away to listen to it from the radio or get updates from buddies.

He looks inside my car and notices the Sunday paper in the passenger seat. “Is that the Philadelphia Inquirer? ” he asks. “Can I glance at the recreations section? “

Sure, no issue. There is A super that is special bowl, too, if you wish to have a look at that.

The kids huddle together by the window as Dave excitedly leafs through the pages and is targeted on the lineups that are starting. “Hey, Terrell Owens will probably start! “

We simply tell him to simply take the part like I just bought a beer for a minor with him, which makes me feel. I am talking about, you can find adverts for strip bones and intercourse lines in that recreations section. And they are these children permitted to anyway read newspapers?

Yes, they’ve been. Amish can browse the paper and keep track of a common groups, precisely the in an identical way I did as a young child during those long-ago pre-ESPN times. Dave many thanks me for my offer, but politely turns along the magazine and states goodbye. As enjoyable he and his friends really would much rather get back to their football game as it must be to answer a strange reporter’s prying and uninformed questions about his faith.

Trying to find a shop open for a Sunday, we drive later on, moving the casual Amish horse and buggy, and pull into a parking area. More stereotypes fall. Right right Here at the back of the great deal, where they truly are concealed through the road, a dozen or more Amish teens dressed in Eagles jerseys are going out by their vehicles, many of them puffing madly away on cigarettes.