Tailgating: Carolina Style

Text by William Emerson

As we walked through the tunnel, the sound of our cleats echoed off the walls; a roaring, thundering, herd of 105 young men ready for battle. Tearing through the paper banners onto the field, lights beaming down on us, and the crowd deafening our arrival. The fans roared with full stomachs and a few too many beverages. Cheering every play, the crowd spent their Saturday with a community of their peers to participate in an American sporting pastime. 

In all the years I played football, I never had the opportunity to enjoy tailgating. Now, I return to my alma mater for the cherished American tradition of tailgating, football, and comradery. Before the teams bear down on the gridiron, the parking lot is filled with fanatics donning school colors, the company of their friends, food, and drink. A ritual repeated every weekend of a home game.

National Tailgating Day is the first Saturday in September, so prep your grill and your team jersey to kick off the season right. Carrying on with American traditions; I encourage you to bring it Carolina-style.