These people may go to the big FSU game with me

So I created a monster when I invited people to tell me why I should give them a ticket to the Florida State game this weekend against Clemson. I got a ton of emails of interest.

Most had great reasons for wanting to attend the game, and some even sounded like they would enjoy hanging out with me. So many were so compelling I had to enlist a committee to help me whittle this down to a manageable number.

I had to make judgments. So, fair or not, I eliminated the Gator fans first. I appreciate the honesty, and we might enjoy each other's company at anything else but a Seminoles game, but goodness, no not for a big FSU game.

Same for the incredibly honest but perhaps not totally understanding Clemson fans (two of you). Also, I have strong ties to Marshall University so the West Virginia University fan who is trying to become a 'Noles fan, sorry, you had to go. Call me when the conversion is complete and you are healed.

I'm giving you the chance to weigh-in on the finalists, if you will. But I'll make the final decision Friday morning. Remember the deal:

• I can drive and have a great parking spot, but you have to be in the Tallahassee Democrat parking lot by 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

• You get to help me work in the tailgate booth on Langford Green and help us with our live show, Langford Live, at 6 p.m. on the green with Keith Jones, Corey Clark and Natalie Pierre.

• Then you are obliged to sit with me during the game.

I'm taking out the names and identifying information, you know, to protect the innocent, but use the comments section to tell me who you think I should take. Use the corresponding numbers. The winner will be announced tomorrow on Tallahassee.com.

Here are the finalist in random order:

1. My reason for wanting the ticket. Well, I've spent two of the last four years watching FSU football at 3 a.m. overseas while serving in the U.S Army. Wasn't easy but I couldn't miss a game. Haven't been to a game since joining the military until recently when I went to the Citadel game. But, of course, you and I both know the atmosphere will be totally different in this game.

Why do I want to hang out with you? Well, I've always read your articles and you write about so many different topics. But you recently wrote one talking about Pakistan. I'm honestly curious about your views on Iraq and Afghanistan. Also, who wouldn't love to have an opportunity to be on TV and be treated nicely. (Bob note: Actually, the show is on Tallahassee.com, but I can promise the treated nicely part.)

2. I don't feel like I deserve the ticket, nor do I want it (as much as I would like it). DON'T STOP READING PLEASE. I'm not sending this email so that I could have the chance of winning a ticket and getting to sit with you, but for my dad who is the biggest FSU fan that I know and he's actually the reason why I want to go to FSU for college (and they have a pretty good football team).

Anyways, I would absolutely love to be able to give my dad that chance to win; he definitely DESERVES it. He had to transition from being a full-time boss of his own construction company to being a single parent of two young girls when my mom had passed away from lung cancer about ten years ago. But ever since then my dad has had to give up so much and has had to work so much harder to be able to give my sister and I the things that we need, and even want sometimes. I know that it would absolutely mean the world to him to be able to go to that game, and I'm sure he'd be able to manage sitting next to you, that is if he is able to stay seated during the game (haha).

His 52nd birthday is on the 23rd of this month so the ticket would also be an awesome birthday present :). That is why I think that my dad deserves to win the ticket and thank you for taking the time to read my email. It is greatly appreciated.

3. I am kind of new to the area. I was a homeless disabled veteran who used to live in Moultrie, Ga., with a dream of attending and graduating from FSU. So I started out attending Tallahassee Community College to obtain my transfer degree. But being here, I have met some great people and even better ones at times.

… But one of the greatest things here in Tallahassee I have enjoyed is Florida State home games and tailgating. … I spend a lot of time working with homeless veterans. … The best reason why I love Florida State football is just not the team itself, but it is the only time that the people and fans are in unison and great spirit of coming together as a whole which is a bond that no person can explain, the euphoria of emotions, when injected into a person becomes an addiction and the essence of never-ending.

4. I read about your ticket giveaway this morning and knew immediately I had to give this a shot. I'm actually a flight attendant. During the past 11 years, I've used my flight benefits to go to as many Florida State football games as possible. My first game was the 2003 NC State game when we beat Phillip Rivers in double overtime. And my last one was the 2014 BCS national championship game. Going to these games are the best times of my life, as I am a huge fan.

Unfortunately, for the first time in a decade, I have no plans to make any games. But there is a good reason behind it. I am currently enrolled at the Connecticut School of Broadcasting (Charlotte, NC), which forces me to work weekends. I have aspirations of leaving the airline industry and following my passion which is sports media. It will be an absolute pleasure if I could sit and talk FSU football, hear about your career, and get any advice from you as I work towards my career change. Also, the experience of helping you for your tailgate and the pre-game show would be invaluable. I can't wait!

I'll catch the 9 a.m. flight to Tallahassee. Get my rental car around 10:45. Only this time, instead of meeting up with friends, I'll have some extra time before heading over to the Tallahassee Democrat. When I read about this, my eyes just lit up. The timing of the experience that you are offering couldn't be any better. Thank you so much.

5. Please add this to the 250,000 email responses (or the population of Tallahassee whichever is greater) you will receive. While I do not expect expect to be the proud recipient of your extra Big Game Ticket, I can think of four good reasons that I would be considered in the running:

• Not once in my almost thirty years living in Tallahassee have I been inside of Doak Campbell Stadium.
• We have met and you and I are approximately the same height.
• We are a couple of good looking guys
• I am new to football. I have found it in my best interest to take a more active interest in football if my marriage to my lovely wife of 23 years is to be 24.

6. I am a NON-recovering workaholic. I NEVER get to go the FSU games. EVER. When you sell homes for a living, it's REALLY hard to ask your soon-to-be-homeless customers to just chill out and take a four-hour hiatus from house hunting on a Saturday. Then, when you politely ask the buyers to just "drop you off" at "The Doak" so you can take in a little football (and, of course, pick you up after the game), you are definitely pushing the envelope.

So, I admit that when I read your FaceBook post, Bob, I got really excited at the prospect of attending a game with you! First, I figured that if I can get invited by a celebrity to attend the Clemson game, it's akin to scoring a doctor's excuse to skip school, and I'm definitely "game" for that! Plus, after 16 football seasons in the real estate business, I exclaimed, "I AM WORTHY (of taking a few hours off)!

Why would I be "willing" to hang out with you? Willing? No. Honored? Yes. For starters, you have a great sense of humor (and we may need some laughs), you are a true gentleman (I've observed you with your daughter, Jessica), and you have a cool doo-hickey on your phone that tracks where you walk - which will definitely come in handy when you leave me in the dirt between the Tallahassee Democrat Tailgate Booth and Row 37. I'll know how to find you. And once I find you, I think you'll just be a lot of fun to hang with. I read your thoughts, ideas, and opinions every day, and you're kind of like family.

7. I'm a proud alumna of Florida State University, class of 2009. For the last five years, I've lived in the Tampa Bay area and I currently work for the Tampa Bay Times. Next week, I'll be moving back to Tallahassee to start a new job. My sister and I will be driving up for the Clemson this weekend, and she'll be using the one extra ticket our grandma, a former Marching Chief, has from her group of season tickets. I had planned to tailgate with friends and then watch the game at a sports bar, but near the 50-yard line is clearly a much better spot! I'm always up for the chance to talk newspapers with folks who know the business and would like to get to know more about the Tallahassee Democrat from your perspective.

I'm also really interested in learning more about Move.Tallahassee.com since I'll soon be a Tallahassee resident. I like to hike for fun and am getting ready to run my first marathon in October. If you were to choose me as the person who gets to attend the game with you, it wouldn't just be a ticket to a high profile game, it'd be a welcome home.

Thanks for the fun opportunity and as always, go Noles!

Watch for the winner tomorrow at 9 a.m. on Tallahassee.com.

You can send comments by clicking on my blogs on Tallahassee.com and Move.Tallahassee.com, e-mailing me at bgabordi@tallahassee.com or sending a private message on Facebook, Tallahassee.com or Twitter @bgabordi. My mailing address is Bob Gabordi, Executive Editor, Tallahassee Democrat, P.O. Box 990, Tallahassee, FL 32302. Call me at 850-599-2177.