Thousands of out-of-town football fans started arriving in Houston over the weekend to attend today’s game between the University of Michigan Wolverines and the University of Washington Huskies. The College Football Playoff National Championship is at stake.
Although neither team is from Texas, Houston is rolling out the red carpet for fans. The city knows how to do this. It is home to a pro team, the Houston Texans, and it has hosted the Super Bowl three times, most recently in 2017.
When I go to take a peek at the preparations around NRG Stadium, I see workers atop big cranes installing the event graphics. At street level, rows and rows of portable toilets are being set up for the “tailgating championship.” These pregame parties will include massive BBQ pits cranking out food, as well as live bands and tents with TV and DJ set-ups. It can get big and loud.
Around the George R. Brown Convention Center downtown, Huskies and Wolverines mix with locals to enjoy all the pre-game free entertainment, including concerts by American hip-hop legend 2 Chainz and country music superstar Jake Owen, among others.
I can easily tell fans apart by their distinctive team logos and colors, the blue and gold for the Michigan fans, and purple and gold for the Washington fans.
Daryl, a Michigan native who relocated to Snyder, Texas, is wearing an oversized gold chain with a big “M” around his neck. He says he visited Houston years ago as a volunteer to help with cleanup after Hurricane Ike. He is looking forward to having some steak and tacos and enjoying the game with his family.
Waiting in line for my own wristband for the free concerts, I meet Alicia and her son DJ, transplants to Texas from Alabama. Although their Alabama team didn’t make the championship game, Alicia says they are fans of all college and professional football.
Further down the line I meet Michigan fans Drew, Kate, and their kids Harper and Easton. Everyone in the family wears team clothing. Harper has gone all-in. She lifts her Michigan sweatshirt to show me her Michigan swim team T-shirt and “M” leggings. Both she and her brother plan to attend the University of Michigan, just like their parents. With the price of tickets so high, only mom and dad will be attending the game. For game snacks the kids plan to eat cheese puffs and candy. Mmmmm.
This group of Husky fans stands out with their matching purple outfits. Ethan, a recent graduate who works as a construction project manager, has a hardhat with a big “W” emblazoned on the side hanging from his backpack. They say their tickets were less than $100 because they are University of Washington alumni.
Kiyomi is a videographer sent by the University of Washington to capture fans in purple while trying not to capture the dreaded “blue” of the opposing team. The images she shoots will be used for the university’s social media. I notice people walking up the sidewalk either veer towards her lens or away from it. On the menu during her visit is a trip to Ninfa’s, a longtime Houston Tex-Mex food favorite.
A huge billboard of the championship trophy covers the side of a skyscraper across from the convention center. It makes for a good photo backdrop to quite a few selfies.
It’s true that sports brings people together. These two fans from Kalamazoo, Michigan, just met each other before I approached to sketch them. They share more than just stature – Dan is 6’7” and Aaron is even taller – they are veterans who served in the Navy and the Army.
Aaron is carrying a rolled up poster of “The Big House,” the University of Michigan’s stadium, to get autographs from the players. The big 24 on his jersey is the number he wore when he played football and basketball in school.
I have seen these humongous hats on televised ball games and thought they looked silly. In person they look even more hilariously ridiculous. The hats are sold in the fan shop, which will add your favorite team emblem with a heat press. There is a line to purchase these hats, too.
Since the cheapest game ticket I could find was $1,200, don’t expect me to be sketching from the bleachers. I will be watching from home with friends and family while enjoying a baked potato stuffed with BBQ brisket, like any other good football fan from Texas who can’t get to NRG Stadium.
