Sometimes, It's Okay to Bend the Rules Just A Little

Another reason I was excited about the Memphis game on Wednesday is because one of my dear friends, who is almost as big a Mavs fan as I am, had scored a pair of postgame passes for us. For anyone who doesn’t know, a postgame pass does not guarantee access to the tunnel or the locker room. It does, however, get you down on the court after the game, where you can wait for players from either or both teams to come out in hopes of obtaining autographs or taking advantage of possible photo opportunities, etc. The one other time I was fortunate enough o have a postgame pass, over two years ago, I was also blessed enough to have a friend who was able to pull strings for me and get me back in the tunnel, where I was able to meet Dirk for a second time. However, Wednesday night was a totally different story.

When we first made it down to the designated waiting area for people with postgame passes, my friend and I were primarily concerned with whether or not we would be able to meet and greet any of the Mavericks ourselves. Since it was the next to last home game, we knew it would likely be our last chance, because once the playoffs start, fan access to the players is denied to keep the team focused and ready to play ball. We spoke with one of the security guards, who informed us that Dirk was supposed to be meeting with roughly 50 students and their families, so there was no possible way any of us could get back there to see him on this night. My friend and I were disappointed, but not too surprised. However, as we began talking to the couple sitting next to us, our whole attitudes changed.

The couple next to us, the Herreras, were here on leave from the military. Mr. Herrera was currently stationed in, and about to return to, Germany (I think he said Manheim?) and his wife was going to be deployed back to Iraq on Friday. They had a home in Fort Worth and had decided to spend the end of their R & R time taking in a Mavericks game. Mr. Herrera even had a 50 Euro note he had brought with him in hopes of getting Dirk to autograph it. They were so excited about having the opportunity to meet Dirk, only to have their dream snatched away from them. My friend and I decided to do anything and everything we could and pull what few strings we knew to try and get the Herreras back into the tunnel.

Apparently, during the game, Mrs. Herrera had mentioned to the female security guard working the area where they were seated that she and her husband were US soldiers and had hoped to get to meet Dirk while at the game. The security guard then offered to try and get them postgame passes and special access. The guard DID obtain and give them the postgame passes, and said she had spoken with Lesley Berry, the Mavs’ player relations manager, about the couple being able to gain access to the tunnel. But when my friend asked the security guard outside the tunnel to call and ask Lesley about it, Lesley had no idea what or who he was talking about, so the Herreras’ request was again denied. Another member of the security team came over to help out and eventually came back with someone who was a Director of some sort at the AAC, maybe something to do with events. The woman was very polite, although not particularly helpful, and said there was really nothing she could do under the circumstances. Mr. Herrera asked if she could at least take the Euro note back and have Dirk sign it, but she said she was prohibited from that as well. So even after trying to go through proper channels, the Herreras were going to be sent back to their separate corners of the world, Germany and Iraq, empty handed. My friend and I couldn’t stand to see that happen, so I came up with another idea...

One of our friends can on occasion get access to the players and get things signed and return them to us, so my friend asked the Herreras to leave their Euro note with her and she would find a way to get it signed for them and mail it back to them. She took down their contact information and promised to have it signed and send it back to them, and they were very happy that they might at least have something to show for all of their efforts. And my friend and I were just happy to help. We both have the utmost respect for any and everyone who serves in our military and were just glad we could do a little something to show some small token of gratitude. Sometimes, it’s not what you know, but who you know that makes all the difference.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Mr. and Mrs. Herrera, and we hope to see you again at another Mavs game in the near future. May God keep you two, as well as all of our troops, safe and sound until you return home again. God bless you both!