Tailgating for Dummies

With both the college and pro football seasons underway, fans have their grills, alcohol, and campers ready to go for the all-important pre-game tailgate. Some last an hour, while others last days. Most fans have been t-gating for years, seasoned pros while others are what we would like to call, TGVs (tailgating virgins). While we here at "on the buzzer" are all for tailgates, there are some unwritten rules of the game that need to be followed. So before you go out there eating, drinking, and talking trash, you might want to review these tips:

1) Don't get so drunk that when game time comes around, you're passed out on a lawn somewhere. Your team needs you come game time. Remember, YOU are the 12th man.

2) Don't show up to someone else's tailgate empty handed. You don't want to be that guy. A six-pack, bag of chips, anything Mr. Free loader.

3) If you happened to be a fair weather fan or just jumping on the bandwagon for the day, be sure you've done your research about the team (i.e. records, players and most importantly who "your" team is playing.)

4) If you are not wearing some sort of team paraphernalia (gear), go and buy some from the student store/pro shop or that guy selling shirts for ten bucks. At least look like you belong there.

5) Finally, any fans with opposing team gear deserve the utmost respect. Remember, most of the time, these people are fans in your city and you want them to have a good impression... NOT, you rip into these guys like there's no tomorrow. You let them now why you are in first place, competing for playoffs or whatever. If you're in last, give them a flurry of you excuses. Just have some quality digs in your arsenal for some unexpected comebacks. You'll never see these people again and you want to leave a lasting impression. If your team loses the game, keep your head down and look for the nearest exit.