Tailgaters Enjoy Improved NFL Fan Experience
The NFL said they listened and they did. Every year the ‘fan experience’ events get bigger and better.
Unfortunately, I personally wasn’t able to attend the Fan Rally at Trafalgar Square on the Saturday, but reading reports and other fans perspectives it was a huge success. The gathering of more stars and legends of the game, willing to spend thier time exercising NFL public relations went down extremely well, and were greeted with enthusiasm by the large crowd.
Upon arriving at the Tailgate party on gameday you could see the real effort that the NFL puts in to these events. Entering through the organised turnstyle entry point, the Tailgate was exactly as it was promised to be. A mix of music, guests, merchandise and the biggest, widest choice of food made available yet.
Popular areas seemed to be the Budweiser Beer Tent, a place where after visiting for just over half an hour, every one of the 32 NFL teams were represented by a fan, in the form of a jersey, tee shirt or cap. Second to this was the mini-field and its seated grandstand. here we had a heady mix of more guest appearances, live music and cheerleaders. a great place to be entertained. When there was a break in the activities, the large screens would show highlights of past and present NFL action. It has to be said that for a gameday geek like me the live showing of NFL Networks, Gameday Morning programme was a nice added touch.
The increased variety of food was clearly enjoyed as long queues were visible at most outlets. Hog Roast, nachos, pizza; just some of the offerings. Washed down with your choice of soft drink or beer, you had no chance to complain of going hungry.
The merchandise areas have always been a formidable foe for those wanting to add to thier collection of authentic game jerseys or tee shirts. Now that Nike have taken over the apparel rights its even more sought after. A roaring trade was also apparant at the New Era area, where caps and essential wooly hats were snapped up.
All this accompanied by chances to play the game in zones dedicated to kicking, passing and throwing the ball. If you didn’t leave the Tailgate area feeling part of the whole NFL experience then you are clearly a hard person to satisfy.
Luckily the rain held off, even though it threatened once or twice, and only until the second half of the actual game did the heavens eventually open. The game itself after a good pre-game show by Train and National Anthems, was a one sided affair. It started promising with quick touchdowns for both teams, but the New England Patriots were able to score on four consecutive drives to leave the ‘host’ St. Louis Rams shellshocked and never able to recover. The final score of 45-7 left the many Patriot fans on hand happy, but the 84,004 in attendance were the real winners of the day.
And just to think we get to do it all again next year, not once, but twice. It can’t come quick enough.