Jags' home-opener offers reprieve from Irma aftermath

Jaguars give 5,000 tickets to first responders, community members

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars played host to the Tennessee Titans Sunday afternoon in the 2017 season home-opener at EverBank Field. The game also served as an opportunity for many to get their minds off of Hurricane Irma, which tore through the Florida peninsula early last week.

The Jaguars gave away 5,000 tickets to first responders and people in the community affected by the storm.
Jags fans poured onto the blacktop outside EverBank Field, energized after a long week coping with the damage inflicted by Irma.

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Allison Free had her hurricane survivors tailgate menu ready to go before kickoff.

“We just want to celebrate right now,” Free said. “It was a tough week for everybody. Everyone's exhausted. It's just nice to let loose and enjoy the game. And our team won the first game. We are really pumped.”

For several fans, the game was the first time they’ve been able to get their mind off Irma.

After a stressful and even devastating week for some, many fans said the time with family and friends was much needed.

“It’s been a tough week but we're here,” Jags fan Jay Brown said. “We're gonna blow off some steam today.”
Cody Muren told News4jax that she was without power for nearly a week.

“It was a little bit tough, but, you know, it's great to have a bunch of family around and gather together and have a good time after a tough week,” Muren said.

Jim Hurckes, who has been a Jags fan for 22 years, told News4Jax reporter Allyson Henning that Irma couldn’t keep him from rooting for his team.

“We had generators, so we kept our house going and we were able to watch last week’s game,” Hurckes said. “We didn't miss a snap, you know? We are true fans.”

Many of the true fans Henning spoke to said they have high hopes for the Jags this season.

The Titans brought fans back to reality, trouncing the Jags 37-16.