This season, FanHouse writers take their cameras to NFL stadiums to document what happens when you stop being polite and start getting real. Or something. We've cleverly titled it "FanHouse in the Stands."
The Bears didn't get into the playoffs after their road loss to the Texans, but their fans deserve to be. Bears fans traveled to Reliant Stadium in visiting team numbers not seen since the Steelers came to town in 2005. They were very loud.
Da Bears Super Fans
Before the game, I got to chat with Da Bears Superfans who made their funny yet wrong predictions about the game:
This season, FanHouse writers take their cameras to NFL stadiums to document what happens when you stop being polite and start getting real. Or something. We've cleverly titled it "FanHouse in the Stands."
As I mentioned before, I am one of those people who wears a ton a fan gear to NFL games. It's not everybody's deal, but I have a lot of fun with my way to support the team. However, wearing elaborate game attire has its perils.
Like for instance, what happens if you get in a car wreck after the game?
Not only did I see my favo team get destroyed, but my car got rear-ended in stop-and-go traffic by another car who got rear-ended by another car. This mashed up picture is of the second car.
Fortunately none of us were hurt, my car didn't seem to have bad damage (waiting for an estimate), and everybody was cool about pulling off the freeway and exchanging insurance info. But you know, you really don't want to be standing on the side of the road waiting for the police to arrive dressed like this ....
This season, FanHouse writers take their cameras to NFL stadiums to document what happens when you stop being polite and start getting real. Or something. We've cleverly titled it "FanHouse in the Stands."
The end zone seats at many stadiums are usually where you can find some of the most passionate fans. They are the closest seats to the field that are semi-affordable to regular fans.
At Reliant Stadium, there is a section of seats in the north end zone that the Houston Texans call "The Bull Pen." It's a section where standing the entire game is pretty much mandatory, and they don't recommend families sitting in that area.
Last Sunday, courtesy of some friends, I sat in the front row of The Bull Pen, and I wanted to give you a flavor of what it is like. This entry includes semi-vulgarity, fashion don'ts and cheerleader dancing video....very up close...for those of the FanHouse readership who like that sort of thing.
This season, FanHouse writers take their cameras to NFL stadiums to document what happens when you stop being polite and start getting real. Or something. We've cleverly titled it "FanHouse in the Stands."
First of all, I like to thank all of you who said kind things to me over the last weeks as the Haus' resident beleaguered Texan fan. Gracias. Here's some flavor of the game, including a cheerleader video for those who like that sort of thing:
Welcome to Hispanic Heritage Day
The Texans have themes for their home games and yesterday was "Hispanic Heritage Day." My buddy Sweet, from the Raging Bull Tailgaters, celebrated with his Texans poncho. He bought that in Mexico, and I'm guessing that isn't an NFL-approved product.
In a nod to the themed day, the Texans cheerleaders originally came out of the tunnel wearing frilly skirts. A friend sitting near me said he thought they looked more like French maid outfits. He did not mind. I did not take pictures of the outfits, but if you want to judge the frenchmaidiness of the cheerleaders, there's plenty of pictures over at TexansBullPen.com.
Strangely enough, the cheerleaders after the half came out in track suits. They temporarily clothed themselves to do a promotion for the Texans Junior Cheerleaders, a program that allows young girls to cheer at one of the games. A junior cheerleader dances with the regular cheerleaders in this video:
This season, FanHouse writers take their cameras to NFL stadiums to document what happens when you stop being polite and start getting real. Or something. We've cleverly titled it "FanHouse in the Stands."
Okay, in large part, I would like to get a brain eraser out, and eradicate the last 5 minutes of the Texans-Colts game. I'm sure that backup quarterback, Sage Rosenfels would like to do the same. But we can't, so I will pretend that didn't happen and think happy thoughts, and just show you some flavor of the game you can't see on TV. (And for those of you who enjoy this sort of thing, I've also included dancing Texans cheerleaders).
Fans can create groups, email other fans, and post pictures, videos, recipes and blog posts and *friend* each other like on MySpace.
It is so easy to set up, that even I, the computer inept, luddite blogger was able to set up my own page that you can check out here. Would you like to be my friend? /dang that feels really goofy to say.
Recently, I wrote a photo essay about my experiences as a Texans cheerleading judge. Now it is your turn to be a judge. Like last year, the Texans are allowing fans to pick the final spot on the team. The three finalists are Jennifer, Kelli and Krista (pictures here). You can see Kelli and Krista at the end of the above video.
If you are interested in seeing how they dance, their blogs and to vote, go to the ABC Channel 13 cheerleading voting site. Voting ends on Friday. Last year, the Texans claim 60,000 fans voted, and the winner was Amanda (her short message to you is below).
Yesterday, I went to the Texans draft party. Texans fans were happy with the trade down in the first round to acquire two more picks, but were generally disappointed in the Virginia Tech left tackle Duane Brown-who? choice in the first. A brief but good summary of the pick can be found here, and more Texans draft analysis will come later.
At the draft party, most Texans fans were happy with the announcement of the new Texans Cheerleaders. Above is a picture of them when they first learned they were on the squad after the final day of tryouts, and the video below shows their dancing introduction to the fanbase. You will like the video if you like watching cheerleaders dance. The SI swimsuit cheerleader twins are back, and I've been told that there are also sisters who are not twins on the squad.
That's usually the sarcastic response you get when you say you are going to be a Texans cheerleader judge. Well that, and "Hey, you need a helper?" The third response is "Be sure to get pictures," so I figured I'd write a photo journal of the event.
The picture above is one of me standing in front of the VIP sign making a little fun of how the event sign shows the cheerleaders touching each other. Sorry Lindsay for invading your personal space.
Actually, I will say that it truly is hard to judge who should be on the cheerleading squad. There were probably 400-600 females to choose from. I think over 800 registered, but some didn't show, and others freaked out and left after they got there.
The early rounds are a bit like American Idol, where you see a few good people and then wonder why some people thought trying out was a good idea.
The Houston Texans have asked me to be one of the legion of judges for the upcoming Texans Cheerleader Tryouts that are happening this upcoming Saturday and Sunday. (promo video above). No, I'm not allowed to bring a helper or photographer, so don't even ask.
But I'd like to take you with me. Really, because I'm helpful that way. So since I can't, for those of you who are interested, I'll try to share some of what the experience is like. Sorry, I know that is lame, but it is the best I can do.
This season, FanHouse writers take their cameras to NFL stadiums to document what happens when you stop being polite and start getting real. Or something. We've cleverly titled it "
This season, FanHouse writers take their cameras to NFL stadiums to document what happens when you stop being polite and start getting real. Or something. We've cleverly titled it "
This season, FanHouse writers take their cameras to NFL stadiums to document what happens when you stop being polite and start getting real. Or something. We've cleverly titled it "
Recently, the Houston Texans officially launched their new social networking site, 
