Posted on Mon, Nov. 17, 2003

Do you take this Giants fan to be your...
'Mixed' marriage celebrated at blowout game
By JIM NOLAN
nolanj@phillynews.com

THE BRIDE wore white - under a midnight green Eagles jersey, of course. The groom wore black and Giant's blue.
It was pretty obvious to the 67,800 fans at Lincoln Financial Field why this man, Keith Moodie, and this woman, Elizabeth Colalillo, should not have been joined together in holy matrimony before yesterday's 28-10 Eagles blackout of the Giants. Maybe that's why they held the ceremony in the morning with 75 friends at Dave & Buster's on Delaware Avenue. By the time the newlyweds promenaded through the cup-strewn, urine-streaked parking lot just before kickoff, the choir had a definite 700 Level feel to it. "Get out while you can!" one female Eagles fan pleaded with the bride, 29. "Divorce him! Divorce him!" "I give you two years," warned another. "This marriage is doomed," declared one wag holding a portable camera, before asking, "Can I get a quickie with the bride?" Fortunately, Moodie, 28, had a thick skin and was wearing a hard hat, albeit a Giants hat, to go with his matching blue logo vest. "That's Kevlar, I hope," said one man. The groom's blonder, better half was able to disarm naysayers with a charming smile, and those sweet nothings that every man wants to hear: "E-A-G-L-E-S, Eagles!" Instead of a formal reception, the Moodies took their entire wedding party to yesterday's game, at a cost of more than $11,000. Working with the Eagles and the official travel agency for the Giants, Big Blue, they were able to get 75 seats in Sec. 125 in the corner of the north end zone, where they accepted well wishes and beers from the good-natured crowd throughout the afternoon.
The couple met over a year ago while working at the YMCA near their home in Bear, Delaware. She's the membership director, he's the sports director. From day one, there were no secrets. Elizabeth has Eagles season tickets in Sec. 110. Moodie has Giants season tickets. "We agreed to disagree on Sunday," said Elizabeth. "We tailgate, win or lose." A lot of people said it would never work, admitted Moodie, who took Elizabeth to a Flyers game for their first date. "But I knew it was love when we went home and she put on ESPN and I didn't need to touch the clicker." Moodie is "a great guy," said Elizabeth. "Really lovable." They both hate the Cowboys. But that doesn't mean that the couple did not have to work out some details before saying "I do." "The prenuptial agreement says that the girls are going to be raised Eagles fans and the boys will be raised Giants fans," said Moodie. The couple even renovated a small panel truck to reflect their competing interests. The "Blue Bird" is painted half blue and half green and is equipped with a couch, a television, and yesterday, wedding cakes of each team. "Marriage is 50-50, right?" Moodie said. Actually, it's a lot like being an Eagles fan, said Mrs. Moodie. "Dedication and devotion and love." For 22 years, that love has been unrequited. The Eagles' last trip to the altar was 1981, when the Birds got stood up - and knocked down - by the Oakland Raiders in New Orleans. There has been more talk of divorce this season than in any previous year under Coach Andy Reid and quarterback Donovan McNabb. But in the last two weeks, the Eagles have shown committment by posting solid wins over Green Bay and New York. Heading into next week's home game with the Saints, the Birds have won five straight and seven of their last eight. Maybe there's hope for this marriage after all.
"Anything less than the Super Bowl is going to be a big disappointment," said the blushing bride, offering the only logical explanation for honeymooning in Houston. Now wouldn't that be a nice wedding present?