Tailgater Monthly - December 2008

THE supER BRAwL Of TAILGATING

TExANs BLuE cREw

With a New Year approaching, and Playoff hopes

beginning to take shape, it’s only natural for every

NFL fan’s thoughts to turn to what else but -- Super

Bowl! This year, The Big Game will be held in

Tampa, Florida and at this time of year the idea of

tailgating in the tropics sounds very alluring. Even

if your team has less of a chance of winning the

Playoffs than you have of scoring tickets to the

game, you can still load up the ol’ fan van for a road

trip and soak up some of that Super Bowl spirit.

Super ‘Gate II will be bringing together top tailgaters from all across the league for an epic four day tailgate party in Tampa Bay. At this “The Super Brawl of Tailgating” crews can party, camp and compete in a Tailgate Decathlon for prizes, trophies and of course, bragging rights.

The bull Pen Pep band plays for the crowd.

In Houston, tailgating is hotter than the weather! Reliant Stadium proudly supports this favorite pastime, where you will find thousands of energized fans eagerly participating with fantastical displays. In the Platinum Lot you’ll find one of the largest noncommercial tailgating groups, the Blue Crew.

The Grand Champions of last year’s inaugural

event, Tailgaters Barbecue Party (Oakland Raiders)

will be returning to defend their tailgate title.

Organizer Kingsford Kirk has been throwing down

the smack and calling out other tailgate crews.

“We’re bringing it bigger, better, and badder.”

He’s planning to “Cruise Across America” with a

trailer full of tailgate gear, and hopes to hook up

with other crews along the way. “It’s Super ‘Gate

or Bust!”

For more information about Super ‘Gate II and the Tailgate Decathlon, including location, events, entertainment, reservations and accommodations, visit the official website at SuperGateII.com.

The Blue Crew currently owns about 30 spots in the Platinum Lot so we are not hard to find. In the Blue Crew we are ALL ultimate fans, including Bull Pen 1, Joe Texan, Bronco Billy and Ted, the Bull Pen Hardhat. Many of the

Blue Crew have seats in the famous Bull Pen, a rowdy fan section in the North End Zone.

The Blue Crew has a lot of traditions. We always have a visit from the Bull Pen Pep band and issue “Bull Pen Shots” just prior to our giving our “Bull Pen Toast”. Cornhole was introduced by a “Yankee” and is featured at every tailgate. There’s always a piñata, either for the kids (candy) or the adults (liquor) in the form of the opponent for the fans to bash. The food varies from game to game, based on the opponent. Brisket, sausage, chicken, chili, stuffed jalapeños, shrimp, hamburgers, jambalaya and steak. You name it, and we have probably had it. We even have “omelets in a bag”.

The Blue Crew is an open tailgate and has had many guests to our tailgate from all over the world. And we always welcome fans from other teams to join in the fun as well. Even the kids get into the action with pumpkin carving, trick or treating, playing Rock Band or throwing around the football.