Chatter

By Nathan

November 15, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

Last year, a friend and I flew to Chicago on a Friday morning and took in the afternoon game between the Cubs and Rockies in the bleachers at Wrigley Field. That night we had dinner at Ditka’s restaurant. On Saturday morning, we got up and drove to South Bend, IN about two hours away. We visited the College Football Hall of Fame that moprning and then tailgated and went to the Notre Dame - Purdue game that afternoon at Notre Dame Stadium. We drove back to Chicago Saturday night and watched the UGA-Ole Miss game at a sports bar. On Sunday, we did some sightseeing in Chicago and then went to the Bears - Seahawks game that night at Soldier Field. We flew back to Atlanta on Monday morning and went straight to work.

By Nathan

November 15, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

Last year, a friend and I flew to Chicago on a Friday morning and took in the afternoon game between the Cubs and Rockies in the bleachers at Wrigley Field. That night we had dinner at Ditka’s restaurant. On Saturday morning, we got up and drove to South Bend, IN about two hours away. We visited the College Football Hall of Fame that morning and then tailgated and went to the Notre Dame - Purdue game that afternoon at Notre Dame Stadium. We drove back to Chicago Saturday night and watched the UGA-Ole Miss game at a sports bar. On Sunday, we did some sightseeing in Chicago and then went to the Bears - Seahawks game that night at Soldier Field. We flew back to Atlanta on Monday morning and went straight to work.

By Bryon

November 15, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

Sorry it took so long to get this up, we have been in jail in College Station for punching a Sooner since late Saturday night. Just kidding……….barely.

It’s Monday October 30th and Kirk sends me an e-mail about wanting to go to College Station this weekend, approximately 2 hours later we have spousal approval and the trip is almost completely planned.

On Friday the 3rd the alarm goes off in Atlanta and it’s 4:30 AM CST and it’s time to head to College Station. I don’t think I’ve been up at 4:30 AM CST since…………….I’ve done the still up at 4:30 AM CST more often.

This will be my first trip west of the Mississippi River on ground. Growing up we always went to the northeast (PN, NJ, NY, etc) and then flew over TX a few times on the way to CA but was never fortunate enough to stop off in Texas. Dated a girl from Texas one time but that’s another story.

My phone rings at 5 AM CST and it’s Kirk out in the driveway right on time. I pack up the truck and away we go. Before we got out of the neighborhood I’ve already asked if we were there yet. “Almost”, Kirk replies. Kirk went to aTm back in the mid-90’s and then finished up at the University of Georgia. A few weeks ago we tailgated together in Athens and the VOLS hung 51 on ‘em…that was a good day. That would give us plenty to talk about since we were going to be in the car together for 28 hours over the next 3 days.

Immediately Kirk breaks out the iPod and begins to play some aTm sound clips and I begin my crash course on the cheers, I mean YELLS, so I can be prepared for 1 AM EST YELL Practice at Kyle Field in 19 hours. Sorry for calling them cheers, Kirk nearly punched me in the nose for that comment… he missed.

The first stop is QuikTrip where I get an XL Mocha Cappuccino w/Caffeine plus. If you haven’t tried that you need to, good times.

In Alabama I break out the laptop and the Verizon Data Network and begin to browse… On texags.com I get some valuable information in which I share w/Kirk and make a few posts warning everyone that we are on our way.

Next up on the iPod was the texags podcast from Monday where they talked about the Baylor game for about an hour, Game Day for 10 minutes and then make a slight mention about the upcoming game vs. OU. Kirk was very depressed about the weight of time used on each.

Hank, Motley Crue, Usher, Vanilla Ice, George Strait all made appearances during the day from the iPod.

Luckily we had Sirius and listened to about 10 hours of the NFL Network. It was hard tearing Kirk away from Justin Timberlake but it had to be done.

One observation on the trip was that while heading west on I-20 the sun rose behind us and set in front of us along the way. You know when that happens it’s been quite a day to say the least.

The first stop was Meridian, MS for some additional caffeine and to release the bladder.

Clinton, MS is the next stop where we eat at the best and maybe only Taco Bell in the whole state of Mississippi.

We stopped in Shreveport to lose a few hands of black jack at the Horseshoe. Kirk insisted he hit on anything less than 21.

The Texas route was Carthage (best Sonic west of the MS River) to Mt. Enterprise to Rusk to Alto to Crocket to Midway to Madisonville to Bryan to CS! It appears that every small town in Texas has a Dairy Queen. I also notice that every cemetery is labeled w/arrows on how to get to it. Interesting.

Once we arrived in College Station we drove around the campus where Kirk starts making little funny noises as we drove past Kyle Field. We stop off and grab a burrito at Freebirds, it was rockin. They actually have a burrito that appears to weigh 38 pounds. We do a walk through at the Dixie Chicken where we’ll return a few hours later.

We arrive at Kirk’s grandparents house, they live about 3 miles from Kyle Field. We had his season tickets waiting on us along w/some floor to sleep on. Upon arriving at Papaw’s, I learn that he taught at aTm for 21 years and Kirk’s dad played LB for TCU. Plenty of great stories ensue. Kirk’s dad tells me that he was 3-1 vs. Texas and 2-2 vs. aTm while he was there. One funny story he told me that there was only one team where they would blare the opponents fight songs during practice and that was the aTm game. The funniest part was that most of the team came to love the aTm Battle Hymn so I guess it sort of backfired. I’m sure that’s not the case w/the VOLS biggest rival in Tuscaloosa. I can’t imagine a lot of former Bama players saying the same thing about Rocky Top.

I also have my first Lonestar Beer. His grandparents have a beer fridge, I’m glad people outside of Atlanta have those, very pleasant surprise.

Every time Kirk makes a trip to College Station his grandmother has a list of computer issues for him to fix, this time it was the printer… Kirk breaks out the printer cartridge and can’t get it to work, he eventually mutilates the cartridge and gets ink everywhere. He tells his grandmother that it’s faulty so she’s taking it back to the store. I would love to see the look on his face when she arrives with what’s left of it. Kirk proceeds to tell her that if they have any questions to call him. Nice work Kirk.

Kirk’s cousin from Dallas (aTm alum & current Baylor grad-student) arrives and we head to Kyle Field for the 1 AM EST YELL Practice. I learn that Kirk’s cousin is on his 3rd Aggie ring having lost the previous two somehow. I didn’t quite get a good explanation as to what was up with that. I tried the ring he has now on before he will lose it again and it barely fits my pinky. Very cool ring however.

We arrive at Kyle Field around 11:58 PM CST for the 1 AM EST YELL Practice. The place is packed out. It was an amazing site to see everyone there to go through the yells and hear one of the yell leaders talk trash about the Sooners. All three decks had people in them which I didn’t realize until we walked down to the field and looked back. I guess the best way to describe it is like it’s where everyone meets on Friday night before a home game and starts the party process. After the yell practice everyone disperses and it’s time to get your party on in College Station. Excellent concept! Instead of we’ll meet you at the bar how ‘bout we’ll meet you at Kyle and begin from there. Kirk was giddy and his cousin knew every word to every yell. Note: he didn’t lose his ring at Yell Practice.

We arrive back at Northgate and swing by the Dixie Chicken where the line “Hey it’s my first time in Texas, Go Vols!” works really well. People were buying us Diet Coke left and right. I’m going to see how that works on my next trip to Knoxville.

We eventually head back to Papaw’s house since we’ve been at it since 4:30 AM CST and find that everyone is still AWAKE w/food on the table. We grab some food and hit the floor for a few hours. Luckily for me there was a grandfather clock on the fireplace that made noise every 15 minutes. I laid there and listened to it for about an hour until I finally fell asleep.

On Saturday we were up and at it heading over for College GameDay after another round of great food! I’m wearing my Maroon Out 2006 t-shirt Kirk’s mom bought us that’s for next week’s Nebraska game and I look the part I’m tellin ya. Note: Don’t forget to wear your Maroon Out t-shirt to the Nebraska game.

ESPN GameDay was rocking!!!! We were standing over behind a few Tennessee fans w/their Go Vols sign and Superman wears Robert Meachem underwear. I was STILL confused and didn’t know how to yell correctly . You can definitely tell who the outsiders are because EVERYONE does the yells in unison and it sounded great!! The horse laugh is my favorite. There’s nothing like a bunch of angry fans wanting to scream hey “F*&^ OU!” do the SSSSsssssss instead. Very polite. We aren’t nearly that polite in Knoxville when it comes to things like that.

We go to the bookstore on campus and grab a few things. A small aTm magnet made it’s way with me all the way back to Atlanta.

We eventually head back to Papaw’s house to catch up on some college football scores.

• If you’ve read this far you need a sticker for the back of your helmet.

We end up migrating to Papaw’s neighbor’s house who had some of every food item I’ve ever seen in my life. Brisket, BBQ, Sausages, beer, live music, big deck overlooking a lake…. old people everywhere!! It was great! I checked with Kirk’s cousin and he still had his ring.

Kirk’s aunt ends up taking us back to campus so we wouldn’t have to drive and park. This game day experience is truly a family affair.

We arrive in time to browse a few tailgates and yes the “Hey, it’s my first time in Texas” line kills again.

We get to see the Corps “March In” and see the F-16 fly-overs, CHILLS!!!!!!!! At this time I’m keeping up with the LSU vs. VOLS game on my blackberry and the score goes back and forth. I didn’t get to see the end of the game but I saw the updated 28-24 LSU score on my blackberry and nearly wrapped myself in bacon and threw myself at the mercy of Reveille.

We go into the stadium and receive a 12th man towel, I thought I was special until I saw that everyone had one and used the heck out of it!

We get down to our seats in section 135 and there are some OU fans posing in front of us getting a picture. I insisted they let me take a picture of them and I explained it was my first time in Texas. They stood and smiled. That would be my only good experience with any OU fans. How I would explain the OU fans is that they act like Florida fans and in the words of Borat… it’s a compliment, not so much.

I get a picture of Reveille as “she” was posing for pictures in front of us. While doing that I noticed a cop randomly throwing little boxes of nerds into the stands and began to feel slighted & insisted he throw me some and he did, hitting me right in the chest with it. I got a picture of him too, all 350 lbs of him.

All of the players are lined up in the middle of the field doing the “Spirit of Aggieland” w/the crowd…”A…G…G.I.E….TEXAS….TEXAS…AMC…”

I soon realize that the yell practice I went to EARLY this morning is now going to come in handy. I don’t feel left out after all. I know how to “hump it”, do the hand signals and perform the yells along with the rest of the crowd. The first of many Aggie War Hymns and “sawing Varsity’s horns off” is in the books.

The game hasn’t even started yet and it is LOUD. OU fans are seen everywhere with their mouths dropped open, staring in awe. I actually heard someone behind us say this is a cult, sounded jealous to me.

The Jumbotron blares some highlights to music and the cannon fires. The crowd is in a frenzy.

Seeing the 12th Man towels “fly” in unison was an awesome sight!!! I was thinking to myself what 109,000 fans with orange towels would look like at Neyland. The fans were awesome!! Note: I didn’t sit down the ENTIRE game and pretty much no one did except the lazy OU fans sitting behind us.

During the game I couldn’t believe you guys didn’t throw to the big TE more and then the throw away w/3rd and goal at the 2 instead of giving it to J-Train twice towards the end of the game befuddled me. I did like how well the defense came together after OU had the big chunky runs in the 1st quarter. Note: we actually passed Chunky, MS and I got a picture. Oh well, I’m not here to question your coach, I was there for the experience and the good time and that was a heck of a completion there!

The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band at halftime was awesome! I’ve never seen anything like it… “Now forming the north end of Kyle Field …” CHILLS….yes, again. I assume you guys don’t lose many half time shows eh?

The most impressive thing I saw during the game was at the very end - after OU had the ball and aTm didn’t have any timeouts left. OU kneeled on it and everyone still stood, cheered & waved the towels until the clock reached zero! Very impressive!

After the game we headed to Loupots and talked about the game and waited on Papaw to come pick us up.

When we arrived back at their house, AGAIN more food! We watched some replays and everyone was asking about my Aggie experience. Finally saw the final play of the LSU vs VOLS game… KNIFE IN THE HEART!!! I saw on ESPN that their updated bowl projection for the Cotton Bowl was OU vs Tennessee. That would be sweet! I may be back to Texas again in less than 2 months.

I hit the floor again for another few hours before we headed back to Atlanta and there it was again… the blasted grandfather clock. We ended up relocating it to the kitchen so we could get some rest.

We snuck out of the house Sunday morning around 6 AM CST and hit the road, but not before checking on Kirk’s cousin’s ring. He still had it so we headed home proud.

Where are the stinkin QuikTrip’s in Texas anyway?!?!?

As we pass through Shreveport I urge Kirk to stop and get his Independence Bowl tickets for his Georgia Bulldogs after their loss to Kentucky over the weekend. He swings at me again but misses.

Kirk and I happened to be playing each other in Fantasy Football this weekend and were trying to keep up with the FFB scores but the laptop was having issues and we couldn’t. Apparently everything is bigger in Texas, including computer problems.

Luckily for Sirius we were able to listen to all the games. I had to listen to Kirk and all this Javon Walker career day crap. Luckily the former VOL Peyton Manning came to the rescue Sunday night. We got home right when the Colts & Patriots kicked off and Kirk went down. Poor thing… Aggies lost, UGA lost, Falcons lost & the Dixie Wreckers lost. Complete sweep of a weekend.

You guys are the most courteous & friendly fans collectively I’ve ever seen. The VOL fans are out of control but you guys are out of control w/structure!

The people were by far the best part of the trip. Everyone on campus, at the stadium besides the OU fans and especially Kirk’s family and friends were incredible. I felt like I belonged and was family! I will forever be an Aggie fan and plan on making a return trip next year. Thanks! GO VOLS & GIG ‘EM!!!!

By muffin

November 15, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

bryon, seriously, i think they just wanted to know where you went and who you saw, not a minute by minute replay of every single thing you did the entire trip from start to finish, including restroom breaks.

By Buck I

November 15, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

I am a native of Ohio and a huge Buckeye fan, but never been to Columbus on game day. Last year, my 11 year old son and I decided on a Wednesday to drive up to Columbus on Friday for the #1 Buckeyes vs. #2 Michigan Wolverines. We made the 10 hour drive, arrived in Columbus around 11:00 PM Friday night. When we checked into the hotel, I asked the person working the counter when to leave for the game and where to park. She told me the lots are already getting full, people started getting there Monday. So, my son and I checked in, dropped our bags in the room, and drove to ‘The Shoe’ and tail gated all night. He slept in the truck while I hung out with fellow Buckeye fans all night. My son woke up at 7:00 AM, and we headed over to the stadium, which was just across the river. We hung out with about 500,000 other fans and took in the atmosphere of ‘The Game’. We went to where the ESPN Gameday crew was at, then walked around the parking lot meeting folks from all over. It was obvious we were not from Ohio, but they liked us anyway. We then went back to the parking lot where some guy rented a U-Haul and mounted a big screen Hi-Def TV and brought TONS of food and drink. We then watched the game with thousands of fans, because we didn’t have tickets, and didn’t want to pay $1000.00 when we could watch the game and eat for free. After the game, we went back to the hotel, got some sleep, then woke up early Sunday and drove back to Atlanta. My son now wants to go to Ann Arbor, MI for ‘The Game’ this weekend, but I have no desire to drive to that state up north. But next year, they are back in Columbus, and the plans have already been made.

By Chris

November 15, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

This is a really good article but fans have been doing this for years. As co-founder of the ATLFALCOHOLICS (www.atlfalcoholics.com) we have been doing Roadtrips since 2000. We travel to at least 1-2 Atlanta Falcons Roadtrips per year. We have been to Detroit, Kansas City, Miami, Tampa, New Orleans, Carolina and Jacksonville. Just this year we have been contacted by ESPN for a show on Tailgating. Were also sponsored by Jocks and Jills in Midtown for the away games we do not travel.

Traveling to away games is special because you see different cities and how they party. But to make it more special, arrange a trip for your fans. This year we did our first Falcons Fans Tailgate. We arrange hotel rooms for 100+ fans in the same hotel (Wyndham), we arranged a Happy Hour at HOOTERS Jacksonville Landings from 6pm-8pm for $20 per person AYCE wings and beer,we also arranged for everyone to sit in the same section of the stadium. On top of that we also set up our tailgate Sat. morning and Sunday morning for 150 fans from Georgia, Carolina and fans as far as HOUSTON.

So if your going to do a roadtrip make sure you take some other fans along with you to make some noise.

GO FALCONS

By jill

November 15, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this

Last year I was the grand-prize winner in a contest sponsored by Taco Bell for the 2007 BCS title game. I was flown to Phoenix, stayed in a nice hotel in Scottsdale, and got tickets to the BCS title game. I also got on TV because the grand-prize winner got to run onto the field to pick up the kicking tee at the start of the second half. I am a Florida grad, but I grew up a Buckeye fan, so it was like I was Taco Bell’s dream winner. The kicker: It was a random drawing.

By Earl

November 15, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this

I read comments about the native Atlantans, I have to wonder if these younger generations are actually native to Atlanta, or native Norcross, Duluth, Dallas Georgia, Kennesaw. A native Atlantan is just like they have said for years—-hard to find, A native was born IN the city Limits, in a hospital located in the city,Crawford Long, St. Josephs, Piedmont. We have a group of native atlantans who all atrtended city schools and Churches right in the city during the 50s and 60s. We number about 1400 and meet regularly and discuss our memories of a wonderful place to live and grow up in those times. we meet yearly at one of the High Schools still operating in the city but was around when we were in school. We meet monthly at a local Holiday Inn take pictures and enjoy seeing old and new friends. Our group actually attended five different High schools all located on the Southside of five points. If anyone is interested they can subscribe to our completely FREE monthly Newsletter, lot of photos, plenty of memories. To receive the newsletter just e mail southside.newsletter@yahoo.com just ask for the newsletter sent by e mail.

By Earl

November 15, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this

I read comments about the native Atlantans, I have to wonder if these younger generations are actually native to Atlanta, or native Norcross, Duluth, Dallas Georgia, Kennesaw. A native Atlantan is just like they have said for years—-hard to find, A native was born IN the city Limits, in a hospital located in the city,Crawford Long, St. Josephs, Piedmont. We have a group of native atlantans who all atrtended city schools and Churches right in the city during the 50s and 60s. We number about 1400 and meet regularly and discuss our memories of a wonderful place to live and grow up in those times. we meet yearly at one of the High Schools still operating in the city but was around when we were in school. We meet monthly at a local Holiday Inn take pictures and enjoy seeing old and new friends. Our group actually attended five different High schools all located on the Southside of five points. If anyone is interested they can subscribe to our completely FREE monthly Newsletter, lot of photos, plenty of memories. To receive the newsletter just e mail southside.newsletter@yahoo.com just ask for the newsletter sent by e mail.

By Earl

November 15, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this

I read comments about the native Atlantans, I have to wonder if these younger generations are actually native to Atlanta, or native Norcross, Duluth, Dallas Georgia, Kennesaw. A native Atlantan is just like they have said for years—-hard to find, A native was born IN the city Limits, in a hospital located in the city,Crawford Long, St. Josephs, Piedmont. We have a group of native atlantans who all atrtended city schools and Churches right in the city during the 50s and 60s. We number about 1400 and meet regularly and discuss our memories of a wonderful place to live and grow up in those times. we meet yearly at one of the High Schools still operating in the city but was around when we were in school. We meet monthly at a local Holiday Inn take pictures and enjoy seeing old and new friends. Our group actually attended five different High schools all located on the Southside of five points. If anyone is interested they can subscribe to our completely FREE monthly Newsletter, lot of photos, plenty of memories. To receive the newsletter just e mail southside.newsletter@yahoo.com just ask for the newsletter sent by e mail.

By alicia

November 16, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

My husband and I have been traveling for sports for years now. Every year we do at least one new baseball stadium, one new college football stadium, and one new college basketball coliseum. We also like to work in a new NFL stadium if possible. So far we’ve been to the following baseball stadiums: Seattle, Oakland, LA (Dodgers), Denver, Atlanta (obviously), Cincinnati, Chicago (Cubs and White Sox), Milwaukee, Boston, NY (Yankees), Philly, and Pittsburgh. Next year will be the Padres in San Diego & Cincinnati Bearcats @ Georgetown (NCAA basketball), but not sure for football just yet. We’ve done numerous NCAA games with lots of highlights. One of our favorites: We got to see Jack Nicklaus dot the ‘I’ at Ohio State’s homecoming last year. We’ve been to only one Final Four and we’ve been to one national championship: Alabama beating Miami at the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, 1993. We can’t get enough!

By weatherboy

November 19, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this

There are a lot better stories out there than the one the AJC published. Three guys get together ONCE a year to see a game and that’s a story? I went to more away games in college. I’ve heard of fans who have been to every UT or UGA game, home and away, for 20-30 years.

By dawgs guy`

November 23, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

It was about 1978 down in LSU land and their homecoming. The movie “…Galore of James Bond fame. The CB craze was on and the tiger fans were spouting how they would be victorious; but sadly Charles Alexander was bottled up by the Dooley Dogs. The fan who came across my CB made himself perfectly clear…was to meet me after the Dog’s victory at the nearby Holiday Inn. The jerk didn’t show. After the win the Dogs came to the tunnel, and as it was I jumped down as the players entered and Ronnie Steward and I held each other in arms and jumped up and down, up and down, etc. That was a supreme thrill of my days as a season holder from 1964 to present 2007. Eat your hearts out you ‘bees.’