The last three homegames have featured three regulars from our Tailgating neighborhood. This season one of the features in every home game edition of the Minnesota Vikings Gameday Magazine, a unique Tailgating Ritual is highlighted. The fans who are selected from written submissions, are given Metrodome Field Passes, Extra copies of the Magazine, and VIP seating for a taping of the Vikings Gameday Faeture Show on a Thursday evening at the Mall of America.
So far this season, Battlewagon Doug was featured for the Ravens preseason game, Kansas Viking was chosen for the Panthers game, and Mookie was selected for the Bears game.
"It's a cool thing to try, but I really like the view from our section best," commented Mookie, "The one thing I did learn is that the Cheerleaders actually work their butts off the entire game. I mean, they really go all out, and take their job seriously. It was really cool to see how they work the sidelines, but I missed alot of the game because we had a bad angle. Ya, that's it."
Monday, September 25, 2006
Sunday, September 10, 2006
The Morning After, Mission Accomplished
Before I call home, and wake up the family, I post the news that I did in fact get into the game at Darrell K. Royal Satdium last night. The ticket cost me $185, $100 more than face value, and $35 more than my "drop dead" budget price, but into the game I went.
It went down to almost the last minute. I took the FREE shuttle to the stadium, wearing my new T hat, and Texas Football burnt orange T-shirt. I stood outside the stadium, in the tailgate park amidst several hundred Ohio State fans who were all hoping for the same thing, "a last minute ticket purchase at discount rate."
Because of my football attire, I was the guy chosen to make a deal with a UT season ticket holder who had an extra ticket. He wanted $200, I offered $150, a Buckeye offered $180, and the guy said he would sell it to me for $185. I grabbed it, counted the cash from wallet, and took off. Before I got too far, I turned out and asked the seller,
"This ain't fake is it bro?"
"Heck no, man, I am a playa, I wouldn't screw a brother, enjoy the game and HOOK EM HORNS!
The only hooking at the game was when Hollywood's Matthew McConaughey would jump around and pump his fist like he was the head Texas pom girl. It was sweet. Ahhhh. Apparently he is a very passionate Longhorn fan, and gets more face time on the huge jumbotron than anyone else.
"He is down there all the time," commented an UT season ticket holder seated next to me, "He usually paints his face like Braveheart and stuff, but that's only for the big games."
Huh? I thought #1 vs. #2 was a big game?
Anyway, the pageantry, the passion, and the pride of big time college football deep in the heart of Texas was OUTSTANDING. I see now, where programs like the Gophers struggle without an outdoor stadium on campus. There is just something truly unique about a fan base that loves their team, and I was their adopted step brother from Minnesota.
The Ohio State fans were very cool as well. There was an estimated 30,000 of them in the crowd of almost 90,000, and I even had something in common with them. Even though it was quite a stretch, their new linebacker, Mr. Lauriantis from, Minnesota, is a player! Wow, he must have had at least a dozen tackles, played special teams, and picked off the Colt McCoy himself. My Minnesota bro was definetly the MVP of the game! I was happy to know that the Gopher state was represented on the field and in the stands.
Some of favorite game moments/notes:
Limas Sweed is a player. He will be a great NFL wideout. I hope the Vikings can grab him, and feel that Texas underused him in this game. He was open alot.
I think UT abandoned the run way too soon, or more like, they didn't use it enough. I was yelling out for them to "Pound It!" and really thought their offensive line dominated on sweeps, and they should have stuck to it more.
The OSU Marching Band performed a neat little half-time show, and spelled out Ohio in script (also known as cursive) which was first performed in public in 1936. Not to be outdone, the Pride of Texas Marching band came right out after and spelled out Texas while cranking out the "Yellow Rose!" Ah, college rivals to the bitter end.
Parting words to OSU fans: "Beware of the pesky Gophers"
Stars of the game: Ohio State's Punter, their Tight End Gonzalez (no relation to Tony), the Minnesota boy at Linebacker, and UT's Limas Sweed (should have been used more).
It was a Buck-eye fan with his blackberry that told me that the Twins beat Detroit and were now only 3 games back. YEEEHAW!
Earl Campbell was honored at halftime, and I gave that dude a huge Standing Ovation. Earl was a slammer Hall of Fame Running Back and pounded it for the Longhorns 30 years ago, even winning the Heisman trophy.
It went down to almost the last minute. I took the FREE shuttle to the stadium, wearing my new T hat, and Texas Football burnt orange T-shirt. I stood outside the stadium, in the tailgate park amidst several hundred Ohio State fans who were all hoping for the same thing, "a last minute ticket purchase at discount rate."
Because of my football attire, I was the guy chosen to make a deal with a UT season ticket holder who had an extra ticket. He wanted $200, I offered $150, a Buckeye offered $180, and the guy said he would sell it to me for $185. I grabbed it, counted the cash from wallet, and took off. Before I got too far, I turned out and asked the seller,
"This ain't fake is it bro?"
"Heck no, man, I am a playa, I wouldn't screw a brother, enjoy the game and HOOK EM HORNS!
The only hooking at the game was when Hollywood's Matthew McConaughey would jump around and pump his fist like he was the head Texas pom girl. It was sweet. Ahhhh. Apparently he is a very passionate Longhorn fan, and gets more face time on the huge jumbotron than anyone else.
"He is down there all the time," commented an UT season ticket holder seated next to me, "He usually paints his face like Braveheart and stuff, but that's only for the big games."
Huh? I thought #1 vs. #2 was a big game?
Anyway, the pageantry, the passion, and the pride of big time college football deep in the heart of Texas was OUTSTANDING. I see now, where programs like the Gophers struggle without an outdoor stadium on campus. There is just something truly unique about a fan base that loves their team, and I was their adopted step brother from Minnesota.
The Ohio State fans were very cool as well. There was an estimated 30,000 of them in the crowd of almost 90,000, and I even had something in common with them. Even though it was quite a stretch, their new linebacker, Mr. Lauriantis from, Minnesota, is a player! Wow, he must have had at least a dozen tackles, played special teams, and picked off the Colt McCoy himself. My Minnesota bro was definetly the MVP of the game! I was happy to know that the Gopher state was represented on the field and in the stands.
Some of favorite game moments/notes:
Limas Sweed is a player. He will be a great NFL wideout. I hope the Vikings can grab him, and feel that Texas underused him in this game. He was open alot.
I think UT abandoned the run way too soon, or more like, they didn't use it enough. I was yelling out for them to "Pound It!" and really thought their offensive line dominated on sweeps, and they should have stuck to it more.
The OSU Marching Band performed a neat little half-time show, and spelled out Ohio in script (also known as cursive) which was first performed in public in 1936. Not to be outdone, the Pride of Texas Marching band came right out after and spelled out Texas while cranking out the "Yellow Rose!" Ah, college rivals to the bitter end.
Parting words to OSU fans: "Beware of the pesky Gophers"
Stars of the game: Ohio State's Punter, their Tight End Gonzalez (no relation to Tony), the Minnesota boy at Linebacker, and UT's Limas Sweed (should have been used more).
It was a Buck-eye fan with his blackberry that told me that the Twins beat Detroit and were now only 3 games back. YEEEHAW!
Earl Campbell was honored at halftime, and I gave that dude a huge Standing Ovation. Earl was a slammer Hall of Fame Running Back and pounded it for the Longhorns 30 years ago, even winning the Heisman trophy.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Congrats to Notre Dame Dan
Okay ND, you got us by the Longhorns. I owe a whole day of your favorite beer, and every time I open for you, I say, "Go Irish."
It's sad to see my Nittany (this year) Lions take their ass whooping like rented muless, but I am still here in Texas looking for a ticket to the game tonight. I was told by locals that wearing my Vikings T-Shirt would only prove me a "Yankee" and I would be iced. Thanks to the UT fans at Coyote Ugly (and the gals here are indeed nothing like the BS movie of the same name) I now know that I must dress like a UT fan, and hope for the best. I am back in my room at 3:30 (4 hours from game time) wearing a newly purchased UT hat, and Texas Longhorn T-shirt. I doubt I will get in, making this the first time in history that cash (on a budget) and shear unique Viking skills preclude me from a big Sporting event. But I still have time to try.
So far today, I have walked 7 miles up, and down 6th Street, and to the Stadium and back, along the way drinking like a Viking, and trying to cut a deal for tonight's game. At one point, I did inded have a ticket in my hand, but the cost at the last moment, like an sad ass e-bay bid, went up from $150 to $300, when I started taking the cash out of my wallet. Some OSU fan, beat me to the punch, and it was gone- even though the seller told me he wanted me to have it, I couldn't match the Buck-guy.
So it is. I wait now back in my room, and watch my beloved Nittany take it hard from the overrated Irish (sidenote all OSU fans are at least hoping for their selfish sake, that PSU upsets the Irish). So I wait for Room Service, watch ND scare Joe Pa's boys, and hold out hope that I can somehow get in to the game of the year in just a few more hours.
It's sad to see my Nittany (this year) Lions take their ass whooping like rented muless, but I am still here in Texas looking for a ticket to the game tonight. I was told by locals that wearing my Vikings T-Shirt would only prove me a "Yankee" and I would be iced. Thanks to the UT fans at Coyote Ugly (and the gals here are indeed nothing like the BS movie of the same name) I now know that I must dress like a UT fan, and hope for the best. I am back in my room at 3:30 (4 hours from game time) wearing a newly purchased UT hat, and Texas Longhorn T-shirt. I doubt I will get in, making this the first time in history that cash (on a budget) and shear unique Viking skills preclude me from a big Sporting event. But I still have time to try.
So far today, I have walked 7 miles up, and down 6th Street, and to the Stadium and back, along the way drinking like a Viking, and trying to cut a deal for tonight's game. At one point, I did inded have a ticket in my hand, but the cost at the last moment, like an sad ass e-bay bid, went up from $150 to $300, when I started taking the cash out of my wallet. Some OSU fan, beat me to the punch, and it was gone- even though the seller told me he wanted me to have it, I couldn't match the Buck-guy.
So it is. I wait now back in my room, and watch my beloved Nittany take it hard from the overrated Irish (sidenote all OSU fans are at least hoping for their selfish sake, that PSU upsets the Irish). So I wait for Room Service, watch ND scare Joe Pa's boys, and hold out hope that I can somehow get in to the game of the year in just a few more hours.
I am in Texas, and Still Looking
It's madness here in Longhornville. The flight last night was full of UT and OSU t-shirts, but no extra tickets. I am determined to find a way into that game, and it is my quest to try all means possible.
Today I even created a Craigslist account and posted the following message in the Austin tickets category.
"I am in from out of town (Minnesota- neutral for this event) writing a story for my blog about this game, the atomosphere, the buzz, and my quest for a ticket. I am on a strict budget, trying to prove how it can be done. If you can help, and if you have a ticket to spare, please call "Mookie" at my hotel room 512-XXX-XXXX."
The 6th street area of town is all that is advertised. It's sort of combo bewteen State Street and Bourbon Street, with red, white and burnt orange walking up and down the streets. I was too tired to party last night, so I just walked a few blocks, and feebly asked people about "extra tickets?"
Holding back laughs, people were generally cordial, but the tension, the anticipation in this great southern city is all that of a BCS Bowl game. I haven't been privy to this sort of buzz on the streets since the Bears kicked Patriot ass in in the Super Bowl 20 years ago.
I just have to get into the game.
Stay tuned. Pictures and more blog to follow.
Today I even created a Craigslist account and posted the following message in the Austin tickets category.
"I am in from out of town (Minnesota- neutral for this event) writing a story for my blog about this game, the atomosphere, the buzz, and my quest for a ticket. I am on a strict budget, trying to prove how it can be done. If you can help, and if you have a ticket to spare, please call "Mookie" at my hotel room 512-XXX-XXXX."
The 6th street area of town is all that is advertised. It's sort of combo bewteen State Street and Bourbon Street, with red, white and burnt orange walking up and down the streets. I was too tired to party last night, so I just walked a few blocks, and feebly asked people about "extra tickets?"
Holding back laughs, people were generally cordial, but the tension, the anticipation in this great southern city is all that of a BCS Bowl game. I haven't been privy to this sort of buzz on the streets since the Bears kicked Patriot ass in in the Super Bowl 20 years ago.
I just have to get into the game.
Stay tuned. Pictures and more blog to follow.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
The Hunt For Longhorns Tickets
It started when Cedric Griffin's bro showed up to tailgate with us a few weeks back. Anthony N. We didn't know who he was, but he was a big fan of the Rookie Longhorn and knew everything about him.
I told him I saw that tickets for the Ohio State Game at Texas on Sept, 9th were going for like a minimum of $500.00, and he told me that he would see what his bro could do. Of course I expected nothing. Talk is cheap, and college football tickets are not.
In fact, on the eve of my departure for Austin, TX, to attend a conference of web design/developers, I have yet to procure the ticket for what they are calling, "the game of the year."
It's Texas vs Ohio State, and it will be played a mere 1.37 miles (I googled it, I mapquested it) from the hotel where I will be staying. I mean, that's within walking distance, even for a fat guy? . Sidenote: There is even one e-bay acution for reservations at a hotel, a booked hotel that is where the seller will "change the reservation from their name to the highest bidder. This is crazy right? I absolutely must go, right?
So my spare time is spent looking on e-bay, ticko.com, and "we scalp you tickets" services all day and night, searching for that one, cheap golden nugget. I have e-mailed UT students, asking about their the extra guest passes. One replies... and the cost is way out of my league (well, not mine, but I do have budget, and ya know, a wife, and kid.)
I called a co-worker in Dallas, to see if she could "Hook me up?" I even tried "tapping a local scalper" source via a friend connection, and got the following response,
"Does your friend want to give up his left nut to go to that game? I can get him tickets but it will cost him at least $500/ticket."
I can't win on e-bay, I can't catch a break, bidding against scalpers, only to see my measeley $325 bid squashed at the last minute. The market is chock full of tickets, and I just want to be a part of that rich Texas crowd that will be watching the National Champs defend their crown while those Longhorn cheerleaders chap it up on the sidelines again
My wife thinks I am nuts, but she doesn't know the whole story.
"Do you realize it's one fricking game? This game costs more than one-week of your son's daycare? Do you know it's more than what you pay for an entire year for Twins tickets, and almost as much as your entire year of Vikings season tickets? I am just saying... think about it."
I hear, but I can't obey. I have to see what all this hype is about? The only big college games I have ever gone to are Penn State at Minnesota, and the Metrodome is no Happy Valley, Big House, or Darrell Royal Stadium. At least that I know of? Heck, I just want to see one, big-time college football game before someone figures out that all the athletes should be getting a cut of the obscene ticket prices that their game is drawing. I mean, holy cripes, uper Bowl tickets are easier to get.
As of right now, I have my plane ticket and hotel booked to the hottest spot on the college football map, but I ain't got a ticket to the game. This is a unique quandry, and It will just have to settle itself out with time.
Stay tuned for my quest for tickets as I head to Texas tomorrow night.
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