Started going to games in 1980 when I was six years old—though I don't recall any specific moment back then.
We moved to San Diego for a year (spring 1983 through spring 1984) and I recall watching the 1984 Orange Bowl on TV with the family and walking around with an old tape recorder and microphone doing post-game interviews with the fam (a precursor to covering the program from the mid-90s to present day).
Moved back to Miami and season tickets for the 1984 season, the first game I remember-remember—as it was an unforgettable experience—was Miami blowing a 31-0 halftime lead and losing to Maryland and that mother**ker Frank Reich, 42-40.
Went to all other home games that year, but that collapse is the first game I remember as my dad and uncle were fit to be tied and that walk to the car was brutal—as was a quiet, dejected post-game dinner at La Hacienda.
Family owned All Sports (allCanes) from 1974 through 2016 and another uncle owned the long-gone Redd's Cleaners. Still recall being put to work that summer at the shop (at 10 years old), walking next door to see my uncle and him helping a customer, looking at me (knowing I was a huge Canes fan) and saying, "Come here, let me introduce you to Miami's new coach, Jimmy Johnson".
Them's were the days....