Hall of Fame Tailgate Party, Fancredable

What’s football without tailgating? What’s tailgating without making the entire day about the game and the love of everything that surrounds it? We love food, we live for football, we enjoy dressing up for the occasion, we relish the chance to celebrate with our friends and family, and we really like to have one heck of a good time. So, combine it all and you’ve just arrived at the BBQ sauce coated gates of tailgate heaven. For the first game of the year the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton Ohio fan tailgate party was utter deep fried, chocolate covered bliss on a stick.

How did all this start anyway? Historians document one of the first tailgating events during the Civil War Battle of Bull Run in 1861. As the battle began, innumerable Union civilians showed up to the actual battle field and shouted, “Go Big Blue!”

Not only was it one of the first historical records of the public cheering on an event, but documents recount the inclusion of picnic baskets of food and beverages to add to the celebration. It’s quite possible that the shouts and cheers of encouragement from that crowd may have played a role in that battle.

That is quite different from tailgate parties of today. For one thing, what we have today is much safer, although the rivalry of fans may at times seem touch and go.  And, for the most part it’s all in fun and serves to build a sense of unity and adds to the excitement for the game.  Even today, as many still cheer for ‘Big Blue’ it means a whole different thing. No matter what, it’s safe to say that over time the fans have continued to crank the whole experience up a notch or two…or three.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame game tailgating party is no exception; in fact it may serve as a rule. Fans from all different teams drive hours to be part of a very unique and exciting type of pro football experience. An actual NFL game, at a cozy 22,000 seat high school field.  At no other venue, other than McKinley High School’s Fawcett Stadium can fans get as close to the action. The “Uecker Seats” just don’t exist. This is the stuff that bucket lists are made of my friends.

Eric Welborne from Elkin, North Carolina arrived at the party in full Dallas Cowboy regalia complete with his own cheerleader, his daughter, 5 yr old Sophie, ” I have two sons, neither that like to watch football, but my daughter loves it. This is my fifth time at a Hall of Fame game, but  my first time dressing up for it, I guess I’m out of the closet.”

Not far away stood another fan completely suited up in Miami field gear. Jordan Fisher from Terre Haute saw the Dolphins play live for the first time last year. “We always dress up for game day parties at home. I couldn’t find Miami pants so my mom had to make these for me.”

Camped in the yard of a nearby home a full crew of Browns fans from Waynesburg, Ohio made the trip to Canton in their customized orange Dawg Wagon. Steve Merrick put together and painted the van and trailer in 2007 in his body shop. The group said their game day tradition is to start off at 5 am for their drive to Cleveland in order to get a good spot and start the party.

Patrick Ross and his son Dallas, named after the Dallas Cowboys, drove from Rochester NY to see what would be their fourth Hall of Fame game. Like so many other fans, Patrick doesn’t need to be at a game to celebrate,”I like to dress up for my team when I’m sitting in the living room in Rochester”. Patrick and Dallas both get ready for game day by listening to music which pumps them up and sets the tone for the game and party.

Some came for special bonding time between a family member, not just to get together for the day, but to celebrate a big change in their lives. Dennis Black and his son Dennis were at the game to make some memories which will last forever.  “I missed him growing up, I was working all the time, and now he’s going into the Navy in September, and this is the only time we have to do something together before he leaves.”

Sprinkled among the crowd where several Ultimate Fans, many who are themselves, in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. These are professional fans. Not only do they dress up to celebrate their team and crank up the people in the stands, but they are dedicated to many charities and special events in their home town which their teams also serve. They came to promote their teams, charities, and to have a good time.

No matter the reason, the fans came out in force and in all their glory to represent ‘their team’ at the Hall of Fame pregame tailgate party. The variety of teams represented by the sea of team jerseys really symbolized one team, the NFL family and their amazing fans. Being here at the very birth place of football on the 50^th Anniversary of the Hall which honors the game, is sensory overload.  You could feel the excitement of the pregame festivities, see the huge dedication of the fans, smell the amazing food, and the electricity in the air itself was palatable. It couldn’t happen at a more appropriate place.

Let the good times roll and carry us off to the start of the 2013 football season! Go Team! Whomever that is for you.

Now, are you ready for some football?