Happy Gameday everyone!
I recently just traveled to Tuscaloosa for the Texas A&M vs. Alabama game. This wrapped up my traveling for the year as I will not be traveling to Starkville for the Mississippi St. game today and I will be living the life of a college football fan from the couch. I did not want to listen to those cowbells…and I ran out of money. That means I have traveled to Auburn, Jerry World, South Bend, and Tuscaloosa over the past 6 weeks. A whopping 2,715 miles to watch college football. I could not ask for anything more to do during my senior year. I have learned many things along the way about each school and I am blessed to have gone to the games and traveled safely the whole time. Now let’s get back to the Alabama game.
This was a top 10 match-up. College GameDay was there. 2:30 kickoff. Weather was absolutely perfect. Me and 4 of by buddies bought a couple of cases and got to campus around 9:00. Went to their famous Rama Jama’s (which was delicious) for breakfast and got the day started off nicely. I have always wondered what it was like to go to a Alabama game because I wanted to see the hype around their campus and fans. Nick Saban’s career record at Alabama is 113-18 over 8 years. That is just stupid. Funny thing is he lost 6 games in his first year, that’s a third of his losses! So needless to say, Alabama fans of my age have no idea what it is like to lose game’s and not be considered a title contender. Not having that mindset can really change they way people think and act. Winning to them is not something special, it is something given. As a lifelong Aggie fan who has drank the maroon kool-aid since birth, I know how losing feels. It is not fun. It keeps me grounded. At the same time though I celebrate every win, no matter the team or how we won. Winning is hard and is never guaranteed in sports! Alabama fans do not have that written into their DNA anymore because of how dominate they have been over the past 7 years. Not including Saban’s first year, the Crimson Tide have only lost 12 games in 7 years. 3 of those loses were in the Sugar Bowl also! Alabama fans do understand the feeling of winning a game, winning a game to them is just a part of their weekyl schedule. Like someone expecting water to come out of their shower head when they turn it on, or expecting the sun to rise from the east every morning. It is something expected and I believe that effects the way they tailgate. People casually show up a couple hours before the game. In Aggieland 2 weeks before we were playing against Tennessee which was a top 10 match-up that had College GameDay. Many tailgates were full by 8:00am. Now this is not a knock against Alabama at all because they still have a great time. This is just something that happens when your team wins all the time. Honestly, I wish I could say we won all the time but sadly I’m an Aggie fan. Overall the trip to T-Town was a good time, even though the Ags lost. Their campus is very nice and Bryant-Denny Stadium was awesome. Another Stadium I can cross off my bucket list. Thank goodness because I know for a fact I will never return their as long as Saban is their coach. He is just too good.
Throughout my travels, and hosting home tailgates, I feel like I know many of the do’s and do not’s of tailgating. I am going to share my thoughts for you this morning so you can read them and have an awesome tailgate today!
Do’s: First, always tailgate. There is nothing better than tailgating for football games. Every opportunity you have. Do it. Always have a beer in your hand, maybe two. You never know if you’ll get stuck in a conversation, get lost from the person holding the cooler (Away games) or God forbid you run out of beer. You should always take time to walk around an opposing team’s campus and learn a few things about it. Every school has something cool to offer and it is good to be knowledgeable about different schools! Eat a solid breakfast. You have to have a solid base so your body can handle everything you are about to put it through. Remember, Friday Nights are the sprints…Saturday’s are the marathons. Talk to opposing fans, shoot even offer them a beer! Tailgating is all about meeting people and having the best time. Being friendly will only help that cause. Have music and dance, go hard, get on coolers and show everyone those fantastic dance moves you have! When everyone has been drinking…everyone can dance like Jason Derulo. Always dirnk Fireball, always. Last, but not least, have a great time preparing for your team to go beat the hell outta whoever y’all are playing…unless its against Texas A&M.
Do not’s: Don’t be “that guy”. Everyone knows what I’m talking about so don’t be him/her. People should not start off the day with liquor, it usually does not end well for them, maybe I’ve been there…maybe I haven’t. Do not be the designated way to Drunk person. Mostly everyone at tailgates is somewhat drunk and that is okay. It’s what makes college football Saturdays, and America for that matter, great. But you do not want to be the guy passed out in a chair throwing up. Be smart, know your limits, or you will end up as a meme that will pop up during that slideshow people have at rehearsal dinner’s for your marriage. Don’t be a dick to opposing fans. If an opposing fan starts to talk crap, just offer him a beer or laugh it off. No one really likes that person so do not be him. My last ‘do not’ might be the most important. I’ve used this quote before but it is so good I’m using it again, “Never half-ass two things. Whole ass one thing” The Great Ron Swanson said that. If you tailgate, go hard, have fun! Do not, I repeat DO NOT lose the tailgate. Sometimes your team loses on the field and it is not very fun. You don’t want to lose the tailgate also because than quite frankly, you’re a loser and you don’t want that.
I hope my advice helps you out in a way. Good luck to every team on this lovely first November Saturday (Except Washington, Ohio State, Clemson, Louisville, and tu). Texas A&M is going to BTHOmsu this morning at 11:00am and continue its magical season.
Thanks and Gig’em