So, I’m scanning the field with my binoculars, and I focus on Dan Snyder, the Redskins owner, for a bit. I’m trying to identify two people who are in the group with him. One guy looks a little like Sonny Jurgensen, but I’m not sure that it is. The other guy has an impressive mane of white hair, and I can’t figure out who it is. Is it Bill Kilmer? No. Is it Ken Stabler? No.

The first guy, as it turns out, is Jack Kemp, former pro quarterback (Buffalo), former congressman and Bob Dole’s running mate in 1996. The other guy, it turns out, is Bill Polian, general manager for the Colts.

While I’m doing this, Dan Snyder looks up at the press box, which is not that far from the field—this is a high school stadium—sees me standing up, gazing at the field and points to the box. Is he looking at me? I’m not sure. I wave. He waves back. He was looking at me. Good to see you Mr. Snyder. The Times-Dispatch is on the scene.

Both teams are on the field now, in full uniform. We’re 40 minutes from kickoff. Electricty is in the air. No, wait, that’s just the exhaust from the traffic on the interstate that runs beside the stadium.