Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
National Teams & Tailgating
The Dallas Cowboys are the most famous football team not only in Texas but the USA as a
whole; in fact, their nickname is 'America's Team' which is only reinforced by the blue
and white star-spangled outfits of their nearly equally famous cheerleaders. Though their
glory days may have been in the 1980s, no one seems to notice.
Houston still mourns the loss of their original NFL team, the Oilers (now the Tennessee
Titans), back in 1996. The town got a new team, the Texans, in 2000, which hasn't been as
popular. When the Texans made the play-offs for the first time in 2011, it helped residents
outside Houston find some interest in the team.
Tailgating, the practice of partying in the parking lot before kick-off, is almost a require-
ment before game attendance. Heck, some people tailgate and then watch the game on
satellite TVs in the parking lot. Though this pre-game party takes place nationwide, Texans
do it up big. Expect to see pop-up 12ft-by-12ft awnings and guys painted in team colors
kicking back in comfortable camp chairs next to a spread of food worthy of a top catering
company. Preparations may be the most elaborate at pro games, but college fans get in on
the act, too. Though most college stadiums do not sell beer, they allow it - on game day
only - out in the parking lot and at campus picnic spots nearby.
