American football is as good as it gets, competition, sacrifice, athletics, and rivalry are some of the feelings that you get as you immerse yourself in this sport. Many people, especially among season ticket holders, have long traditions that can date 20 years. One of the strongest traditions that still lives on today is Tailgating.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal live. John 3:16 (NIV)

Tailgating: A definition

For some it would be insane for us even to consider a reason to define tailgating, however, we will proceed for the new comers. Tailgating can be defined in many ways from many people. The most basic definition is a pre/post football game party. The term tailgate party stems from the pickup truck. People pull into a parking lot grab the lawn chairs, radio, TV or whatever, drop the "tailgate" and start the party. Though a tailgating party now refers to a pre game party, many die hard fans still require a pickup truck or RV, tents, and even a self made port-a-potty as essentials to have a great tailgate party. One thing is for sure, in order for a tailgate party to exist it must have food, and preferably a barbeque.

Tailgating: The Food

Tailgating has been called the last American neighborhood due to the comradely that exists. In great tailgating parties, everyone is there to support the local football team. There is a sense of community and friendship. One of the best parts of this atmosphere is the cook-offs. Whether intentional or spontaneous it seems that every great tailgating party has a cook-off. Hamburgers, bratwurst, and pulled pork are common food items that make their way on to the competitor's line up. For the most part it is an unofficial competition that comprises of neighbors swapping recipes and stories of the good ol' days. In other tailgating experiences, there are official judges and even cash prizes.

Tailgating: The atmosphere

If anything tailgating fans enjoy most, it is the anticipation for a great game. With pregame shows blaring on TV's, and radios it is a great time to talk about strategy, or why you think that your team didn't make it to the super bowl last year and some recommendations that you would make if you meat the coach. For others it is grabbing a pickup football game in the parking lot. It doesn't matter if you are 12 of 75 if you enjoy throwing the ol' pig skin you can hop in a pickup game.

This tailgating atmosphere is enhanced because if you are a tailgater most likely you are a diehard fan that has been through the good times and the bad. For them the football season is more of a lifestyle then merely a sport, where team jerseys, flags, and loyalty are requirements.

Conclusion

In the end there is no way to quite describe the experiences that you have at a tailgate. If you ever thought that you were a fan, go to the next tailgating party and discover what true fans are really like and the atmosphere that they bring to a great game. In the end if the food is good, the atmosphere is great, then you are setting yourself up for a great tailgating experience.

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Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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