New tailgating rules make some Cowboy fans unhappy
Michigan
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IRVING — The Dallas Cowboys have drawn the line on tailgaters at Texas Stadium.
Fans struggled Monday night to adjust to a new rule that restricts grills, tents and other tools of outdoor revelry to parking spaces marked by a blue painted line.
The tailgating spaces are generally on the perimeter of the stadium’s vast lots, leaving the center parking spaces for fans who simply want to get out of their vehicles and get to the game.
Another rule change: Tailgaters may use only one parking spot per parking pass. Spreading out tents and chairs across two or three spaces is no longer allowed.
Team officials said the changes were necessary to improve safety and traffic flow, and to make better use of limited parking space.
But fans attending the first home game of the new season said they have become accustomed to smoking meats, drinking beer and tossing footballs pretty much anywhere along the stadium exterior without being questioned by security.
"It’s ridiculous. Tailgating is such a big part of coming to an NFL game, and I don’t think there should be restrictions on it," said Dustin Tinney of Fort Worth, who enjoyed pregame festivities with a bag of popcorn ordered from wide receiver Terrell Owens’ Web site.
Patrick Elam, who traveled from Conway, Ark., to watch the Cowboys’ home opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, also lamented the suddenly cramped quarters as he slowly smoked cuts of chicken and lamb.
"My truck is already bigger than one of these parking spots," he said. "How do they expect us to put a grill here, too?"
Stadium security officers patrolled the parking areas Monday afternoon, politely asking violators of the new parking policies to move. Most offenders said they weren’t aware of the new rules.
According to Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple, "The overwhelming majority of people are applauding us for doing this. About 90 percent of the feedback is, 'It’s about time.’ "
The team isn’t making money off the new rules, he said.
"We’re selling the exact same number of parking coupons we’ve sold in years past," he said. "We’re just trying to make sure every parking space has a car."
Brandon Sledge of Lewisville and his friends decided not to fight the new parking policy. Instead, they bought two parking permits to ensure they could use one space for a tent and chairs. But Sledge noted that tailgaters were having trouble staying within the confines of the new rules.
He pointed to several areas where partiers could be seen loitering and lingering in areas that used to be kept clear for traffic.
"It’s going to make traffic a lot worse, not better," he said.
Fans struggled Monday night to adjust to a new rule that restricts grills, tents and other tools of outdoor revelry to parking spaces marked by a blue painted line.
The tailgating spaces are generally on the perimeter of the stadium’s vast lots, leaving the center parking spaces for fans who simply want to get out of their vehicles and get to the game.
Another rule change: Tailgaters may use only one parking spot per parking pass. Spreading out tents and chairs across two or three spaces is no longer allowed.
Team officials said the changes were necessary to improve safety and traffic flow, and to make better use of limited parking space.
But fans attending the first home game of the new season said they have become accustomed to smoking meats, drinking beer and tossing footballs pretty much anywhere along the stadium exterior without being questioned by security.
"It’s ridiculous. Tailgating is such a big part of coming to an NFL game, and I don’t think there should be restrictions on it," said Dustin Tinney of Fort Worth, who enjoyed pregame festivities with a bag of popcorn ordered from wide receiver Terrell Owens’ Web site.
Patrick Elam, who traveled from Conway, Ark., to watch the Cowboys’ home opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, also lamented the suddenly cramped quarters as he slowly smoked cuts of chicken and lamb.
"My truck is already bigger than one of these parking spots," he said. "How do they expect us to put a grill here, too?"
Stadium security officers patrolled the parking areas Monday afternoon, politely asking violators of the new parking policies to move. Most offenders said they weren’t aware of the new rules.
According to Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple, "The overwhelming majority of people are applauding us for doing this. About 90 percent of the feedback is, 'It’s about time.’ "
The team isn’t making money off the new rules, he said.
"We’re selling the exact same number of parking coupons we’ve sold in years past," he said. "We’re just trying to make sure every parking space has a car."
Brandon Sledge of Lewisville and his friends decided not to fight the new parking policy. Instead, they bought two parking permits to ensure they could use one space for a tent and chairs. But Sledge noted that tailgaters were having trouble staying within the confines of the new rules.
He pointed to several areas where partiers could be seen loitering and lingering in areas that used to be kept clear for traffic.
"It’s going to make traffic a lot worse, not better," he said.
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Comments
<< <i>Woodsheds and paper bags are still ok. >>
Yes they sure are
1994 Pro Line Live
TheDallasCowboyBackfieldProject
<< <i>Matt...living in the 80's again. Have fun >>
Really? The last time I checked the Bucs sucked in the 70's, 80's, 90's and for most of the 2000's. They only had one good year. Since then, they are the Yucs once again.
If you would like me to send you the extra brown paper bags my wife brings home for the grocery store, please let me know.
It never hurts to stock up. You're gonna need them
1994 Pro Line Live
TheDallasCowboyBackfieldProject