Marysville resident and 10-year Seattle Seahawks season ticket holder Cher Simons was recently awarded one of the highlights of her lifetime.
The long-time Hawks fan won the Canon shoot like a pro sweepstakes for the opportunity to shoot a Seahawks game from the sidelines in addition to VIP treatment throughout the evening.
Simons dream was realized Monday, Nov. 6, at Qwest Field as the Seahawks hosted the Oakland Raiders on Monday Night Football.
In addition to being able to take unlimited action shots of her beloved team, Simons also received two tickets to the nationally televised game, post-game access to the team press conference, a Canon EOS Rebel XTi camera kit and Canon 10×30 Stabilizer binoculars.
I absolutely had a blast. It was a wonderful experience, Simons said with a smile so large it could be seen through the phone line.
She described it as the number three highlight in her years as a fan.
The Super Bowl was number one last year. The NFC Championship was right behind it and this was just awesome.
A self-described die-hard fan, Simons has long been a camera toting admirer in the climate-controlled Kingdome, Husky Stadium and the newest home of the NFC champions Qwest Field.
She and her husband have watched the Seahawks in summer training camp at Eastern Washington University in Cheney and routinely meet the team at team headquarters in Kirkland upon arrival from away games.
Weve been on the field before (Qwest Field), but we were not taking pictures, Simons said. This was way better. They (Canon) furnished the lens so that everyone is using the same lens when they take the pics, but it is professional grade.
One feature of the sweepstakes is that each of the 72 winners may enter their favorite picture and the top prize of that is a VIP week at training camp.
I am not sure what all that entails, but VIP weeks are usually pretty good. It was the first time I have used a Canon camera and I love it. This is by far the best one. It is awesome. Almost like taking regular pictures.
Simons added that she paid the difference to upgrade the sweepstakes camera to a Canon Rebel 30d EOS.
All of a sudden I was taking a whole bunch of pictures. I didnt know the camera did that and it was like wow! I like to take pictures when they kick the ball. Then you get the kick and run.
Corky Trewin, the official team photographer, accompanied Simons on the sidelines.
Although the sweepstakes only allowed her to shoot the games first quarter, Simons picked up where she left off in her complimentary seats and camera.
We were at the last Hawks game at Husky Stadium in pouring down rain and blowing wind. Tonights game was just like that, but the Seahawks are my team.