Let the Tailgating Begin

God I love a game day morning. I'm not headed down to the stadium today, or I'd probably already be on my way, but I am looking forward to watching the Eagles-Steelers from the comfort of my couch with some of the guys.

In the spirit of the site Enrico founded in 2003—a fan's perspective on Philadelphia sports—we love to hear stories of how the fans prepare for games, any traditions with family and friends, tailgating rituals, etc. From the over-the-top stuff to the every-week routines, we want to hear about them.

In week 1, both E and I were at the Linc, starting early and probably a little too fast. Nothing compares to tailgating all morning, then walking inside, getting a mouthwash bottle of Jameson past the pat-down, and wandering through the crowd. But watching the game from the local bar or your buddy's house can be almost as fun, for different reasons.

For week 2, it was the perfect conditions for another one of our new favorite routines—setting up a huge projection screen in my backyard for a night game. We started talking about this as soon as we saw Eagles-Dallas, Monday Night Football, in week 2. My old roommate has the A/V hookup and got us a 12' X 9' screen and a digital projector. Dude in the picture below is 6'5".

We wired up a receiver and some Bose blasters, set up the camping chairs, and had everything ready as the crowd of 20+ adult jersey-wearers showed up with all kinds of autumn beers. Breaking everything down was a blur, and getting up for work on Tuesday sucked, but we can definitely say we had a great time despite the outcome of the game.

So as today's game approaches and the season keeps rolling, remember to send in your stories, either as comments or emails, parking lot reports, out-of-town viewings like at Plum Crazy in SD or Pat's in Denver, or just send some pictures (if you head to the lot or see something crazy at the game, feel free to send us picture messages from your phones, using our email addresses as the recipient). Some of our favorite posts are the "Food for Fans" Mark K that gives us, the fan reports, and random stuff like that guy's Eagles bathroom.

Comments

[Chris]

I'll give you the perspective of the average mid (ok late) 30s guy. First I spend most of the morning going over the fantasy matchups and evaluating how my team will crap the bed this week. Then after her morning chick flick is over, I chase the GF out and start with NFL Gameday. About 12:00 I take a quick run tot Canal's for a 6er, make the final fantasy adjustments and settle in with a hoagie from Primo's and the laptop fired up for fantasy purposes.

I usually fall asleep sometime during the 4 pm game, and am refreshed for Football night in America.

Watching from the comfort of my living room is the most likely scenario, though if my local friends are headed out, we might catch the game at a local watering hole.

Last week at the MNF spectacular at Matt P's in Delco was a great time, but Tuesday morning was painful.

Go birds!

[gootman]

Well you know my tradition, I was right there with you at the game and at your house for the big screen. Looking forward to talking shit today as my fantasy team tears you up.

I love the hype of going to the game, but definitely can pay attention better watching it from home.

[Perfect Moment Project]

You look a little too ambitious. I'm heading to the couch.

No standing, singing, dancing in my Sunday.

Today is my slug day... Football, couch, remote. That's all I need. I have to get something done today? No way.

I have officially declared today a slug day.

[T]

Perspective of college student:
12:20 Woke up.
12:21 Pressed power on tv.
12:22 Ordered sausage egg and cheese breakfast santdwich from Garrett Hill Pizza
12:52 Put on pants. Pay delivery man.
12:55 Finish sandwich, sit on couch... move at next food delivery.. and enjoy the great indoors

[George]

Is the guy in the Baskett jersey Sal Fasano?

[Benjamin]

Excellent beer selection...dogfish head, weyerbacher imperial pumpkin...excellent selection. I am having the imperial pumpkin myself...superb football/fall beer.

[Mike]

Had tickets to the Dodgers/Giants game today, but wisely opted out for the bonanza at 1pm PST. It'll be couch and fantasy watching all day today, since I'll get both of the games on TV.

[PhiPhan5648]

Mmm... Yuengling Lager... FUCK!

Unlike most lucky EAGLES fans, I'm stuck at work, and have to listen to the game on the radio. **Sigh**

Oh well... let's go BIRDS!

[PhiPhan5648]

...oh, and my pregame ritual is as follows... at least this is my pregame ritual when not at work...

1. Wake up Early for a change...
2. Decide which Eagles Jersey to sport today... my collection includes all authintic stitched: Home R.Cunningham, Home R.White, Home D.McNabb, Throwback D.McNabb, Away B.Westbrook, Home B.Westbrook, Alternate B.Westbrook, and Home B.Dawkins.
3. Put a Case of Yuengling in the Freezer, so it gets cold for the game.
4. Put on EAGLES Pregame on 94.1
5. Order a Cheesesteak with Fried Onions
6. Pay Deliveryman.
7. Turn on 52 inch Plasma Screen, turn sound off and tune into Merril and Mike.
8. Pour a bottle of Yuengling into my EAGLES BEER STEIN.
9. Eat Cheesesteak.
10. Piss of Neighbors by being loud.

There you have it...

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!

[Clare]

Today's gameday preparation was:

1. Wake up in agony at 7:30--slept through overnight dose of painkiller.
2. Choke down some oatmeal so painkiller doesn't make me throw up. Bitterly muse about the fact that it hurts to eat, but I can't take painkillers without food in my stomach.
3. Nod off on couch for several hours--painkiller is a hell of a drug.
4. Wake up too late after post-oatmeal nap to fiddle with fantasy football rosters. See that Eagles are up 7-3.
5. Nod off during second quarter.
6. Wake up during third quarter. Eat some applesauce. Wish applesauce was a cheesesteak.

Note: I had my tonsils out last week--that might have affected my gameday preparation just a little bit.