Tales from Tiger Town
The temperature has finally (mercifully) dipped below ninety degrees, and I do believe I stepped on my first crunchy leaf the other day. Fall is in the air, and that means it is time once again to let some twenty-something aged kids determine our destiny and our moods for the next few months: it’s college football season!
My beloved Clemson Tigers opened the season Saturday against another Tiger team, the ones from Louisiana State University. There was quite a bit of spirited banter leading up to this one, folks: who had the best tiger mascot, which team could claim the real “Death Valley” as their stadium. LSU even had signs made which read “1-0” weeks prior to the game and posted them around their practice facilities to motivate the players. We readied ourselves as best we could for a night game in Clemson with an “orange out”—no wearing purple this game since LSU shares that color with us as well. Our group decided to take our opponent’s menu and use it for our advantage, so we planned a Cajun-themed tailgate spread right down to a couple of hundred strands of orange Mardi Gras beads and a king cake. We might not have won the football game, but rest assured: we have never lost a tailgate.
The first game day of the season. Here we are, beads and all, ready to “laissez les bons temps rouler.”
Our signature cocktail: the Orange Crush. Topped with a splash of “Geaux Home Soda.”
We had a feast, with jambalaya, Cajun deviled eggs, pickled shrimp, crawfish dip, Creole charcuterie, muffaletta salad, praline brownies, bananas foster cake, and this magnificent king cake our friend Megan ordered. (We found out later in the day that it is considered bad luck to eat king cake out of season. Let’s not let Dabo find out we did that, mmkay?)
I do have to say, however, if you dare fall asleep during a marathon tailgate day…
…your friends will absolutely take pictures making fun of you while you snooze.
I had the privilege of creating our group koozie for the season this year.
Speaking of, here is part of our Palmetto & Paw Society. In tailgates we trust.
Lookin’ good, Tigers!
Clint and Lynn got pretty good at playing “Redneck Horseshoes.”
Meanwhile, I enjoyed being chauffeured around by Rebecca on her new decked-out Clemson golf cart.
Orange and purple Jell-O shots, to recharge a bit.
And then Megan found this sign, which was too good to resist. Geaux home, indeed.
Clemson’s stadium entrance is widely known as “the most exciting 25 seconds in college football.” A night game makes it even more so.
Look at these smiling faces. So full of hope (it was still very early in the game).
Here is our Fab Four in Megan’s West Endzone seats. Amazing.
And I thought I put a lot of thought into my gameday outfit. Check out this guy!
Just before the beginning of the 4th quarter, Clemson gave the packed stadium a drone show. Amazing is an understatement.
While we didn’t get the outcome we wanted, it’s always a great day to be a Clemson Tiger. Anytime I can spend with my friends in my happy place is time well spent, and we are already making plans for our next game (which will hopefully get to include a victory celebration).
It’s not goodbye, old friend. It’s until next time.