Posted by
Catmman on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 10:11:29 PM
The Dallas Cowboys had their first day of practice at training camp today.
I live here in San Antonio, I am also a Cowboys fan. Yes, I know, some of you less sophisticated followers of less worthy sports franchises may be wondering, "So what?" Indeed. Though everyone can and should be a fan, nay, a follower of the Dallas Cowboys, not all of you have there werewithal to attend their training camp. At this point you may retort that my attendance at said camp would be a fortuitous circumstance based simply on geographic proximity.
And you would be right.
Though I am a Cowboy fan, as you should be, I am not made of money. Considering how much money we'll all soon be shoveling into the coffers for our "free" health care, I better take advantage of cicumstances now. (Yes, a partisan political reference on a sports post. What's more partisan than sports after all?) Anyhoo, the Cowboys are here in town for training camp. The Vice-Commander and I ( and our youngest) went to the kickoff 'party' last night and we attended the first practice today.
First a word about how things in 'training camps' have changed. When I was a kid the (then) Houston Oilers had their training camp back home in San Angelo, Texas. They used the Angelo State University practice fields and facilities. I remember watching the practices with friends of mine in the heat, sitting in the stands. If there was media attendance, I didn't notice it (honestly, what 11 or 12 year old cares about sports writers?). One year in particular, my best friend Von and I hung around the clubhouse until well after the practice sessions and media had departed. Only we and a handful of fans had hung around. Why? Because Earl Campbell had yet to come out. (Earl Campbell being, IMO, one of the best running backs in the history of football). I don't know what the deal was with that particular day, but he didn't come out until well after the press and crowds had left. It was really cool, there only being my friend and I and a handful of others there. Mr. Campbell came out with another player, I don't recall who. I asked for his autograph, as did the rest. Since there was no crowd and no press, Mr. Campbell was very accomodating, signing autographs and answering questions, shaking hands. A very affable, amicable man. I still have that autograph.
Here we are almost thirty years later and how times have changed.
I was amused by the thought of a 'kickoff party' for a training camp, but I understand the intent. To make money of course, but also to 'kick off' the season as it were. Let's be honest. American football is the only decent sport out there. I mean that only semi-facetiously. Baseball may be "America's Pasttime" but unless you're a hardcore, diehard follower, have you ever tried watching it on TV? Boooring! Baseball is a great sport to watch in person, but on TV it's a snoozer. Basketball? Please. I do admit b-bal takes a lot of stamina, but all it really takes is height. The only sport that come close to football is hockey. Hockey games in person are almost as good as football games in person. Not everywhere has hockey though, so you might as well watch football. There are no other sports. Don't talk to me about golf or tennis. Golf isn't a sport since it requires a dress code and tennis is for girls. Everyone knows girls are no good at sports, so tennis doesn't qualify. But I digress.
The 'kickoff party' was good insofar as my wife surpirsed me with a Silver membership in the Dallas Cowboys Fan Club. I finally have the proverbial card to carry. Jerry Jones came out, the cheerleaders performed and the key players were introduced. Not bad, though I do have a gripe. I know I live in San Antonio and the powers that be were probably going for a whole ambiance thing, but there was entirely to much tejano music. I know this is picking fly poop out of pepper, but I'm sorry, there was. The event was OK, though it was a bit cheesy.
I decided to go to the first days practive today. I was going to go early, since "True Blue" fans can get in an hour early before the 'general public' (peons), but the Vice-Commander got off work early so we went together. We didn't get there until right before practice started. The practice session ran about two hours. It was pretty light - shorts, helmets and shoulder pads. It was pretty good though. Interesting to watch
I've taken lots of pictures and will update when I can get them downloaded. Since I'm on terminal leave, not working and have nothing else to do right now, I'm toying with trying to go as much as possible. Training camp runs through August 19th, so there will be plenty of opportunity to go. The only thing keeping me from going everyday is having to pay for parking. The Alamodome is downtowan and there is no free parking anywhere down there as far as I know. It would cost me over $200 just for parking if I went every day. They should be selling some kind of 'parking pass', live and learn. Of course with all the tax cuts the Democrats have given me, it shouldn't be a problem (yeah, I went there). I'll be going as often as possible though, taking pictures and whatnot, so stop back often for updates.
Dallas Cowboys Rule!