To Tailgate or Not To Tailgate...That Is the Question

http://www.tailgatingideas.com/the-nfl-is-coming-for-your-tailgating-time/

The two pictures are what is most telling about this blog, and the author’s real thoughts on tailgating and the NFL reducing the amount of time tailgaters have. The author claims that most tailgaters are there to cook food and watch other games on television, not to get as drunk as humanly possible before kickoff. If this is true then why does the picture that shows a happy group of fans who seem to be responsibly tailgating get the red circle with the line going through it indicating times like these are over for fans. The other picture shows severely intoxicated men with alcohol in their hands, and does not get the “no” sign stamped over it. This reveals the author is signifying the good times of responsible tailgating are over and the time for drunkenness is here thanks to the NFL’s new tailgating rules. The blog is defending responsible tailgating but the pictures show advocacy towards drunkenness. The blog even gives readers a way to confront the NFL on this matter, and even provides a sample letter as a template for others to use. If the author does not want to promote or condone alcohol as a part of tailgating, then there is no need to confront the NFL on this issue. I do not see the need for more than three and a half hours for cooking and eating, especially when you are there to be in the stadium. The inconsistency with the author’s argument is not only proven by the pictures the author posts, but also by the fact that beer pong tables and bud light tailgating advertisements are located at the bottom of the blog. The replies are surprising too because it appears the author has attracted people who are pro-drunkenness because the majority of the replies agree with the author on being unhappy with the new tailgating hours rule, but many also proudly claim how fast they can drink and get drunk so a time limit means nothing to their partying. The blog does not convey the feeling of supporting sober tailgating; instead it does an excellent job of promoting drinking and drinking games as a primary way to enjoy a good tailgate party. I do not understand how three and a half hours is not enough time to enjoy food and time with friends and fellow fans, but I do understand after analyzing this blog that to be a true NFL fan one must tailgate for as many hours as possible, stuff themselves full of food, have plenty of alcohol, and get ready to be rowdy and heckle some visiting fans.