Where howdy met hi y’all.  Where smokers met cold appetizers.

 Where cowboys and cowgirls met gentlemen and ladies.  Where Texas met the Deep South.  This was the Cotton Bowl.  The last to be played at the Texas State Fair Grounds.  (Next year Jerry World)  What a great way to say good-bye to a rich history and tradition.

Tailgating is different at a bowl game.  No home team (although in this case Tech was the home team), fans travelling for miles and not having their regular tailgating equipment and nobody having their tailgating spot.  With all that going against them this was one of the best bowl tailgates I have been to.  The hospitality of both teams was outstanding.  The food — in one corner Texas with smokers and big girls and the other corner southern fried chicken, boiled peanuts and way too much food.

That everybody was having a good time, no trash talking and sharing food and friendship, well the Cotton Bowl couldn’t have had two better teams to end a long and rich tradition at the stadium.

I have to admit I love Ole Miss tailgating.  Not only because of the Grove but also because of the hospitality (Karen and I honeymooned at the Grove).  But at the Cotton Bowl I fell in love with Teach and although never having been there (over 500 games in 13 years), next year it’s going on the schedule.

A Red Raider, a Rebel and an Aggie go to a Bowl game…wait a minute, an Aggie?  Didn’t get the memo

Some fans wear their loyalty on their sleeves or bodies.

Neighbors get together

Appetizers at a Tech tailgate

1st course at a Rebel tailgate

Decorate and show your colors

Leave no doubt, wear your colors.

 The whole family comes to the game (note who gets the big chairs)

Tech fans have big Texas appetites.

There is no age limit for a tailgate, even if you keep your little brother in the trunk.

Boiled peanuts and okra at the party must mean Ole Miss.

Hoddy Toddy!

Dad said he would get good tickets, we can see everything from the roof.

Go West —and bring the Grove with you.

Bigger is better at a Tech Tailgate.

Fashion is always important at a Tech Tailgate.

Commish Tip #7 — Know where the potties in a box are.

 Tech smoker that’s really smokin’!

What a great and diverse country we live in.  Snow from Seattle to Foxborough, cold and frigid weather everywhere — well not everywhere.  The Commish was in Tampa, 76 and sunny.  Hey somebody had to be at a tailgate where shorts and Bucs tee shirts were the dress of the day.  The other dress of the day was the uniforms of the US Marines, there, not to protect, but to serve.  Time for Toys for Tots.  I don’t know if statistics are kept, but I think Tampa fans are at the top of their generosity during the Holiday season.  One tailgating group, Bucfanz.com, collect bikes for Toys for Tots and this was another banner year.  The cars, the grills, the fans and the weather make Tampa one of the best tailgating locations in the NFL.  Al Lopez Park (acxross the street from the stadium) is still my best location to tailgate. 

I love Florida in December!

Putting on game day face with Big Nasty and crew.

ATrain Express, a ‘72 VW Bus — one of the best in the NFL.

The best our country has, helping in the Toys for Tots drive.  God Bless America and thanks to the men and women who serve everywhere.

One great grill.

One Great Griller.

Location, location, location

December 21st, break out the suntan lotion and the food.

Upscale First Course.

Followed by the grilled oysters and the ahi tuna for course 3 and 4 to be followed by _______

Al Lopez Park — the most beautiful tailgating location in the NFL.

The Marines have landed to pick up bikes from Bucfanz.com.

Buster Levin, my little nephew helps load the bikes.

Bowl gamea are a different animal. In this case Bulls and Tigers.  At most bowl games there isn’t a home team, but here, USF is only 30 miles away from Tropicana Field and the USF fans came to tailgate. Tee shirts and shorts are the uniform of the day even Santa wants to be in Florida.  Memphis fans came down from Graceland and I think I saw Elvis. Two team competing, but the big winner—–Clearwater/St. Petersburg.

The commish hangs with parents of Memphis defensive standout Josh Weaver.

Joe and Bulls fans Jason and Edwin aka DJ Wingo S.I.

The competition isn’t only on the field — but in the parking lot your pride goes to your head.

Team pride can really go to your head — no Bull!

The bands….

…and cheerleaders add to the parking lost festivities.

 The mascots mingle…

…and add to the activities 

And of course the tailgating — home.

And visitors.

Scarlett O’Hara must have been at a Falcon game, tailgating, when she cried out ” I’ll never go hungry again.” Although there is no central parking lot at the Georgia Dome the tailgating is still alive and well and rounding into playoff mode. Ribs and chicken are the foods of choice, but the best thing about Falcon tailgating is —-Southern hospitality. 

 Carl and the Captain — Tim Young is back.

Ribs, ribs, ribs — Atlanta’s food of choice

 Road Dogg Express — ready to roll.

 Wings and things and then football at the Dome.

Commish meets one of Santa’s Little Helpers.

Party Time!

 John Dunn — the best tailgating trumpet in the NFL.

 Ribs and Wings. . . time to eat!

I am convinced that the Army/Navy is the best sporting event I attend each year.  Opponents on the field, but teammates on the real field of battle.  In the parking lot, not as much activity as a regular game, for the rush is to get in the stadium for the march on and the pre-game ceremonies.  But the tailgate is important even after the game when the young men (best in the country) get to join their friends and families for food and fun. 

GO ARMY!  GO NAVY!  The winner — All of us in the United States.

The team may be in a slide, but not the tailgating.  When the game gets tough, the tough come to Buffalo.  Fans are great and hardy.  Real Champions of the Parking Lot.

Party Time at Ralph Wilson

Wings —- Real BUFFALO Wings!!!!

 

I Said Ketchup and Mustard on the Burger

I know the game may not be of championship caliber as in the past, but the tradition of tailgating on Thanksgiving is alive and thriving.  Breaking bread with our football family is a special time.  

 

Let’s All Live in Peace   

 

The Commish in Focus Groups 

         

Thanksgiving Feast!!!

Purple, purple everywhere. Crab cakes and crab soup the foods of the day. Home of one of the best tailgating vehicles — SWAT, Stop Working And Tailgate.Cold day, but hot tailgating.

For small or big universities tailgating is part of the game. At Towson, they play at Unitas Stadium and the tailgating parking lot fills up early. Cold and windchill didn’t stop the party.

 On a great fall afternoon the Terps came out of their shells. Walking around this beautiful campus with great fans and students you almost forget what a great basketball school this is. Football is not far behind any more.

Fear the Turtle! 

Keep it Classy, Maryland.