On June 28, 2014, I traveled from Rio de Janeiro to Recife in Brazil to cover the round-of-16 match between Costa Rica and Greece.
I did not want to go because the ticket from Rio to Recife was more expensive than flying from Brazil to the USA. However, my boss insisted that I should go and join our crew for that important match.
I flew into Recife and landed with no issues. Getting off the plane was very fast and I tried to exit the airport as soon as possible to go to the stadium to start helping my colleagues.
I got to the taxi stand at the exit of the airport and it was empty. All the cars were parked outside but there was nobody around.
I asked the only security guard where the taxi drivers were and he pointed to a corner on the other side of the building where many people were standing in front of a TV.
“Brazil is playing Chile, they are in extra time. I don’t think anybody is working now,” said the security officer.
At that moment, a person showed up at the taxi booth and when I asked for a ride to my hotel, the gentleman kindly said:
“If you like football, you can join us and watch the penalties with us. One of us will take you later, for free if Brazil wins. If you cannot wait, you can start walking, it is only 45 minutes to your place.”
Safe to say that I watched the penalties with my new friends, the taxi drivers. I got to the stadium later than expected, but my ride to the hotel from the airport was free because Brazil won and I had the happiest driver.
On our way to the hotel, the driver asked me what I did. “I work on TV,” I said.
“I don’t know what we would do without people like you who let us hear or watch what happens with our national teams,” he replied.
That was one of the best reminders of the responsibilities we have in our job as communicators.
Even now, 12 years later, people get emotional, follow their passion, get sad or happy, and unite thanks to the show you produced, the news you made happen or the game you worked on.
Never forget it.
The next day in Brazil, I was the happiest after seeing Costa Rica qualify for the World Cup quarterfinals, also on penalties.