Help the Texans Get Fans in the Stadium Early

[Texans_Chick]

The Texans very much encourage tailgating. Fans love it, and it reduces traffic by getting fans to show up the parking lots early.

That being said, some people are having too much fun in the tailgates and showing up to their seats late. The Texans are looking into different ways that they can encourage fans to be in their seats by introductions.

For more information, check this out:

Be Loud, Be Early: Take The Texans Home Field Advantage Pledge (http://www.imatexan.com/profiles/Texans_Chick/profile_blogs.asp?post_id=164)

[Yosarian]

All the money we pay to go i think we can show up whenever we want.

I agree that fans should be set to go when the opening line ups get announced but i disagree about trying to tell people what to do.

People shouldn't be pestered into being in their seats. It's up to them what they want to do.

[headsplint]

I totally hear what your saying, but I agree with her. It's embarrassing(too me) when the cam shows the stadium before the game and the seats are empty. I would like for them to be full. Especially on Mon. night. I want the National audience to see a sea of Battle-Red when the game comes on.

Ya I agree. Even though you have the right to do what you want after spending your money on the tix, you still have the responsibility of being a fan, and showing your support for the team is part of it. So get in the **** seats on time seriously and quit whining. :D

[smokingpiper]

Good comment - This has been my biggest complaint about Texan fans. I leave Tailgating at 11:00 so that I can watch the team warm up. Anyone who was at the first Dallas game when the stadium was full at kickoff can see how important it is for the stadium to be full before introductions. Another thing is fans that get loud when we have the ball. I take the pledge and will be in my seat well before kickoff.

[Mean Machine]

Great thread!
This is HUGE and reminds me of some 'fans' who refuse to wear red on Battle Red Day, white on Liberty White Kickoff and Blue on Steel Blue Day....get in your seats on time. Period.
I might tick a lot of people off, but darn it, it is just crazy how empty Reliant is for kick off. Just get inside. We are starting our 7th season tailgating in the Blue lot, and we shut down at 11:15 for a Noon kick off. Plenty of time, to get a round of cold beers and be in our seats...heck our pre-game intro video is awesome, but how many 'fans' have really seen it.

I have emailed the Texans on numerous occasions as to how to get fans in. One thing, they need a series of sirens to go off, LOUD outside the stadium to warn people, time to head in....

Giveaways are nice too. And make pre-game fun, get some Texans highlights, pre game interviews, get the fans pumped.

Folks, just get in there early....as much as I hate to admit it, but Mack Brown has done it over here in Austin with the horns and his motto:
COME EARLY.
BE LOUD.
STAY LATE.
WEAR ORANGE.

All of these make sense for us but the last one....

Imagine what the Team can feel and SEE and HEAR on Sept 14, when they come firing out of that tunnel, a FULL stadium, a sea of WHITE and LOUD LOUD LOUD!
go TEXANS go!!!

[Whiskeyrbl]

My wife and I make it inside around 11:15 to 11:30 every game. It is disappointing to see all the empty seats at 11:45. But what do you do? Most of the season ticket holders or people that get tickets to the games that frequent these boards are usually in their seats or so they say. I agree we need some type of outside air raid sirens or "Pump you up music" with a countdown or something, starting at 11:00. I made this suggestion last year, guess no one of importance got it. Maybe we can flood Nick in his thread with the ideas to give to the people in charge. It would be absolutely spine tingling if we could have a sea of white on 9/14, and so loud you could'nt hear the PA. This could be OUR year!!! Team and fans alike. We need to do our part. Slam your last cold one at 11:00 and get inside to raise hell, TEXAS STYLE!! It is up to us. They could line up the cheerleaders to escort us all in.

[Texans_Chick]

My wife and I make it inside around 11:15 to 11:30 every game. It is disappointing to see all the empty seats at 11:45. But what do you do? Most of the season ticket holders or people that get tickets to the games that frequent these boards are usually in their seats or so they say. I agree we need some type of outside air raid sirens or "Pump you up music" with a countdown or something, starting at 11:00. I made this suggestion last year, guess no one of importance got it. Maybe we can flood Nick in his thread with the ideas to give to the people in charge. It would be absolutely spine tingling if we could have a sea of white on 9/14, and so loud you could'nt hear the PA. This could be OUR year!!! Team and fans alike. We need to do our part. Slam your last cold one at 11:00 and get inside to raise hell, TEXAS STYLE!! It is up to us. They could line up the cheerleaders to escort us all in.


Good ideas.

Please don't mess up Nick's thread. I can assure you that any ideas that anyone puts in that blog post over at Im a Texan will get read by the people looking for ways to get folks in the stadium earlier.

[Texas Hellfire]

Yes, we need a siren to let us know that it is time for us to come in. I might be late coming in but if we are losing I'm still there rooting for my team very loudly I must say. Now lets discuss how the stadium gets very quiet when we are behind or empty when we are losing. :cool:

[dbruder44]

I am never in by 1130 but I have never missed either the opposing team or the Texans being announced. I have left one game (in their history) in the early fourth quarter for an emergency thing.

I was so disgusted when only 15K people saw that comeback late in the fourth quarter against Tennesee, it was disgraceful, another 50K people screaming when Tennesee had the ball I know would have made a difference, a false start or two, would have helped.

I get 611 and 612 on their feet for third downs and crucial plays when we are on defense, but I must say some people have actually told me to shut up and sit down too, those folks need to watch at home. I too am amazed at how loud people get when we have the ball.

[hawgdawgtx]

I think the siren or bullhorn in each lot is a great idea. Folks get caught up in the great tailgating atmosphere and before you know it, you have to start breaking down everything and try and get in on time, so a little reminder doesn't hurt.

How about if the Texans don't do something like this, we in the different lots start sounding off peronal airhorns at a designated time as a reminder - kinda take matters into our own hands. Imagine the sound that will make and really start getting folks excited about getting in on time!!

[Texans_Chick]

Yes, we need a siren to let us know that it is time for us to come in. I might be late coming in but if we are losing I'm still there rooting for my team very loudly I must say. Now lets discuss how the stadium gets very quiet when we are behind or empty when we are losing. :cool:

One fan at a time. One fan at a time.

[Texas Hellfire]

I think the siren or bullhorn in each lot is a great idea. Folks get caught up in the great tailgating atmosphere and before you know it, you have to start breaking down everything and try and get in on time, so a little reminder doesn't hurt.

How about if the Texans don't do something like this, we in the different lots start sounding off peronal airhorns at a designated time as a reminder - kinda take matters into our own hands. Imagine the sound that will make and really start getting folks excited about getting in on time!!

Now that idea is good because to be real I don't think the Texan's Organization is going to help us with this.

[Texas Hellfire]

One fan at a time. One fan at a time.
I'm not trying to be mean but if we are going to talk about what needs to be done to help the team then let's place all of our dirty laundry out to be washed, clean and dried before the season starts. I think well I hope that we are all on the same page.:)

[Sportswriter79]

It's tough for me to understand how a fan can prefer to continue to "tailgate" as opposed to seeing the kickoff...but it's a free country.

The team has repeatedly asked to have us in our seats for the kickoff, and given the effort they've put into building a contender I think it would be great for all of us to be there.

[Texan634]

Some simple things to help get the crowd involved.

During "thunder" right before the kick-off. Cue the crowd to shout "thunder".
Piped in noise is great but true crowd noise is better. This is as simple as a flashing "thunder" on the scoreboard somewhere.
I seem to remember this from the movie Rollerball but I might be wrong, someone can refresh my memory.
Sorry, but get rid of the guys with the nets on their helmets entertaining a small section of the crowd by having people trying to "make a basket". Bring back a roving "cheerleader" ala "crazy george". Better yet have several of these people designated to get the crowd involved.
I know some disagree but we have had one game where the crowd was truly involved, that was Dallas. Other than that the crowd is somewhat weak, at least in "gridiron, texas".

[Yosarian]

You must be forgetting the one game where a wave actually went all the way around i think 3 times. First time i've ever seen a wave there and 3 times...

for those that don't remember...(colts game2-3 years ago?)


but yeah the amazing(almost) comback with the titans...there was like 8000 of us left in there. What a sad state of our fans. But best of luck to you in this endeavor. I'll be ready to go and in my seats as long as the beer line isn't overly booked.

[zanth91]

I'm there 2 hours before the game.

[281lxm]

I think consistently winning will cure alot of it. I will say that the empty stands on TV are quite a sad thing to see. I hated hearing from family in other cities when they would see us and the stands were empty. I like the air horn idea at 10:55 am.

[zanth91]

I've ALWAYS been in my seat at least an hour early. Actually I just go down to the bottom and watch them warm up then head up to my club level seat about 30 min before the start. A really like the idea of the horns or anything in each lot or just a really big loud one on the stadium. It can begin a real tradition!

[sec132]

I have been a PSL owner for 7 yrs now and I have tailgated every game, and I have never missed the national anthem much less the kick off. But I am lucky that 10 out of our 30+ tailgater's don't go in the game so we don't break things down until after the game, when traffic leaves. It does really suck when were in the middle of the 1st quarter and people are just finding there seats. I approve the horn and will bring one , but we need to coordinate a time. I like 45 minutes before every game. Any other suggestions?

[Whiskeyrbl]

We can name it the Cattle Call. The stampede starts at 11:15 then. I'll get a horn. I was also thinking we can write " Be in your seat for Kickoff on our windows with white shoe polish( if it's not raining).

[DiehardTXNSfan]

COME EARLY.
BE LOUD.
STAY LATE.
WEAR RED,WHTIE, or BLUE!!!!!

I really Love this Motto, I work for Aramark at Reliant and I get to the Stadium a few hours early at about 7 am when we play at noon.
I will sure place a Poster in several entrace so maybe to remind those who drag in to go in side the stadium, I have seen more of the opponents fans than Texans fan on their seats when the texans are stretching.
Please tailgater fans go around with SIRENS, HORNS or COWBELLS to remind fans to get in EARLY!!!! or I will leave my suite and go out side to kick your behind!!!!!!! jokes aside please get inside to the stadium early!!!!!!!!!!P PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

[Texan634]

Obviously we are not reaching the problem children on this thread. Everyone here is in their seats.:D

[K.C.]

One of the biggest problems, which I have complained about to the Texans, is that they sell to many season tickets to brokers who then put high prices on them and they dont sell. that is why you here them say that they sold 70,000 tickets but the stadium is half empty.

But like the texans say its all business so as long as they can sell the seats they are making money.

[Yosarian]

Obviously we are not reaching the problem children on this thread. Everyone here is in their seats.:D

Yeah, that's kinda what i was thinking too.
;)

[Sportswriter79]

We can name it the Cattle Call. The stampede starts at 11:15 then. I'll get a horn. I was also thinking we can write " Be in your seat for Kickoff on our windows with white shoe polish( if it's not raining).

The "Cattle Call" is an excellent idea. The Texans ought to pick up on that.

[Yosarian]

The "Cattle Call" is an excellent idea. The Texans ought to pick up on that.


moooooooooooooo

[jaup09]

I know it was just a preseason game but we need to do something because I had people arriving in my section half way into the first quarter this past weekend. What's new huh? Also most were your everyday fan and not the tailgater since there were a lot of them that looked like they came from the office. It's was Saturday no traffic most didn't work what's the problem? Come on people show up on time. It is disrespectful to others when you come in so late while we are trying to watch the game.

[Vinny]

I know it was just a preseason game but we need to do something because I had people arriving in my section half way into the first quarter this past weekend. What's new huh? Also most were your everyday fan and not the tailgater since there were a lot of them that looked like they came from the office. It's was Saturday no traffic most didn't work what's the problem? Come on people show up on time. It is disrespectful to others when you come in so late while we are trying to watch the game.
part of the problem was not with the fans but with the Texans poor planning at the cash lots. The cash parking lot at the fannin park-n-ride was a total disaster. I arrived right before 6pm and there were massive (and slow) lines for the metrorail. Last year there was all kinds of help over there making sure there was no log-jam....but I guess they cut a few corners this year and saved a buck or two and let us line up in huge lines for the machines. Boy was that a mistake because I barely made it in before kickoff. It took an entire hour for me to get inside the stadium from the moment I locked my car and made a bee-line to my seats. Pathetic. There were hundreds of people behind me and I know most of them didn't make it in before kickoff even though they arrived at the stadium in PLENTY of time. I was planning on meeting CloakNNNDagger, edo and a few others but I had to scrap that plan since I was stuck at the cash lot waiting to get on the train for 45 mins, barely making the opening kickoff....forget meeting friends before the game.

[jaup09]

part of the problem was not with the fans but with the Texans poor planning at the cash lots. The cash parking lot at the fannin park-n-ride was a total disaster.

Well that would make since. Hopefully they can work to make this run smoother. I guess they just wanted to try and see if it would work.

[hondaguy007]

well im the type of guy that likes to get there early, and when i mean early its 4 hours hence tailgateing, i epect the best from the texans this year and i will do all possible to do my part, and if it means being at my seat 30 mins early il do it whats 30 mins? tailgating is fun but it just a warm up to what is actually going on inside! support our team!




closing statements im a super fan thanks all!!!!!!

[DiehardTXNSfan]

WE NEED LOUD Fans at their Seats when the Texans come out from the Tunnel... Maybe we need a School Bell, Roach Spray :) or any one have any suggestions of what it will take for OUR FANS to get in to Reliant :D

[dbruder44]

WE NEED LOUD Fans at their Seats when the Texans come out from the Tunnel... Maybe we need a School Bell, Roach Spray :) or any one have any suggestions of what it will take for OUR FANS to get in to Reliant :D


If you can't hear noise from 611/612, I haven't done my job, but don't worry I will get them loud. Everybody just do what I do on any big third down play, just face the crowd and say (when there is 30 econds on the clock) "I want the next 30 seconds of your life LET'S GET LOUD!" People in my section go crazy well most of them.

I will heard as many cattle in early as well.

[flaco150]

Its not just tailgaters, every game at 1130 from my vantage point around 350 I could see traffic backing up on 610 at blue lot - flat out late arrivals every game.

Laterz
Jeff

[hawgdawgtx]

To get folks attention to the new cattle call, I plan on bringing an airhorn, and letting that sucka scream about ???? Should be 11:00 or 11:15? Suggestions?

[Bigtime4Paul]

To get folks attention to the new cattle call, I plan on bringing an airhorn, and letting that sucka scream about ???? Should be 11:00 or 11:15? Suggestions?

YOu do know that the start time is at 3:00

[zanth91]

YOu do know that the start time is at 3:00

He posted that a week ago, the week of a noon start.

[Bigtime4Paul]

He posted that a week ago, the week of a noon start.

I already hit the submit when I realized he posted it a week ago.

[spurstexanstros]

my battle red boxers will be in seat at 2:45 ,,,hopefully the rest of me will be too.

[Bohunk]

I'd like to have the doors open up earlier. Sometimes we don't have time to get in, set up, start cooking, eat, clean up, etc. in the time alloted. Many places let you in 6 hours before the game, some let in RVs the night before...

[thunderkyss]

I think consistently winning will cure alot of it. I will say that the empty stands on TV are quite a sad thing to see. I hated hearing from family in other cities when they would see us and the stands were empty. I like the air horn idea at 10:55 am.

We've won more home games than not in the last three years. We've won what 12 of the last 16?

2 home losses in 2008
2 home losses in 2007
4 home losses in 2006

& I don't really care for the horn thing. I don't think anyone "forgets" what time it is. Half of them are watching the kick off on TV.

$1 beer before kick-off.....

'nuff said.

[Mean Machine]

I think a siren at 11:15 will let people know, 'hey, we need to rap up the tailgate and get inside!'

It's amazing, it is almost like some people forget, the reason for being there in the first place!

Come Early.
Be Loud.
Wear Battle Red...Liberty White...Deep Steel Blue!

[tumbleweed]

I myself tailgate til 11:15 and then start heading inside. Sometimes is take a bit to get to your seats with the crowd. I ususally am in my seat at kickoff and it does make a huge difference when there are more people in their seats at the start. But as long as they come and yell for the Texans, make the stadium the loudest ever, its all good. Go Texans.

[blake1776]

Lower ticket prices so some more of the real fans can afford to go to games.

I've looked at prices and it isn't really economically feasible to go to a game.

I watch every game at home, and I know many of the people I watch with would be loud and painted and obnoxious the whole game, yet we can't afford to go.

That isn't just the Texans problem, but Sports in general, Rockets games are the same thing.

It's a business, and as long as they sell the tickets for high to fans that wear polos and khaki shorts that show up late and leave early than the majority of real fans that can't afford to go to games won't go.

[Sportswriter79]

Lower ticket prices so some more of the real fans can afford to go to games.

I've looked at prices and it isn't really economically feasible to go to a game.

I watch every game at home, and I know many of the people I watch with would be loud and painted and obnoxious the whole game, yet we can't afford to go.

That isn't just the Texans problem, but Sports in general, Rockets games are the same thing.

It's a business, and as long as they sell the tickets for high to fans that wear polos and khaki shorts that show up late and leave early than the majority of real fans that can't afford to go to games won't go.

Careful, your green is bleeding through.

These people are as genuine a fan as you claim to be.

[dbruder44]

Careful, your green is bleeding through.

These people are as genuine a fan as you claim to be.

Genuine maybe, fanatical no way!!!

I'd love to trade 15-20K passive fans that act as if they are on their couch, for 20K that will get up and scream on a 3rd down and 8 so Peyton can't audible or to make Mark Sanchez crap his pants a little before the snap, or to cause false starts.

One year we led the league in false start penalties against the other team in our building for most of one season. Then people just started sitting and watching and not interacting withthe game, real sad.....

[footballfan412]

Careful, your green is bleeding through.

These people are as genuine a fan as you claim to be.

Yeah, I agree. I'm a season ticket holder, and am extremely thankful that I am able to pull that off, but I am not a passive fan by any means. In fact, some of my friends have told me I take the team a bit too seriously and intensely. lol.

I'm just as upset as anyone when I get to my seat - on time - and the stadium is half empty. Yes, a lot of our fans are passive. But not all. A lot of us plan ahead, leave our tailgaiting a half hour before kick-off (it takes a half hour to get from the parking lot to your seat) and scream as loud as anyone.

[TheGoaT]

cheap bear an hour before kickoff really would make a difference. Bait people with their wallets and their buzz, its the best way.

[blake1776]

I stand by what I said, that's why I said the majority of fans can't go. When I can afford to pay for my seats I will, and I will be just as angry, but if the upper level seats weren't so expensive I would be at every game. Let the people that pay the prices for the upper level seats pay the same for the lower ones and I will pay 15$ for a higher ticket, and I think a lot of people would.

I'm not saying you guys aren't real fans, but obviously the problem is that not enough passionate fans are going to the games...

I believe the only reason for that is because of ticket prices, do you have a better reason?

[dbruder44]

I stand by what I said, that's why I said the majority of fans can't go. When I can afford to pay for my seats I will, and I will be just as angry, but if the upper level seats weren't so expensive I would be at every game. Let the people that pay the prices for the upper level seats pay the same for the lower ones and I will pay 15$ for a ****ty ticket, and I think a lot of people would.

I'm not saying you guys aren't real fans, but obviously the problem is that not enough passionate fans are going to the games...

I believe the only reason for that is because of ticket prices, do you have a better reason?

Blake I agree with you, sadly their are a lot of people that have or are given tickets to these games and have no business being there, can't find there seats showing up late, I mean C'mon. Fortunately I can afford my upper deck seats, oh and BTW there are no bad seats in Reliant just better ones. The Texans prices are reasonable compared to the NFL (the whole NFL and all professional sports has become ridiculous) I would kil to get a transplant of 10-15K die hard fans and boot out some corporate BS ticket holders. If you want to watch the Texans in a BAR go to a BAR, if you come to the stadium get in your seat, and stay out of the BAR.

[blake1776]

Yeah, sorry to anyone lucky enough to have seats, I meant no disrespect, I was just a little heated.

[Sportswriter79]

cheap bear an hour before kickoff really would make a difference. Bait people with their wallets and their buzz, its the best way.

So cheap "bear" (beer?) will get some people in on time, but the ability to see their NFL team won't? Let them stay outside.

[houstontx4x4]

some people are having too much fun in the tailgates and showing up to their seats late. The Texans are looking into different ways that they can encourage fans to be in their seats by introductions.

]

Lower the cost of beer. Problem solved

[Sportswriter79]

Lower the cost of beer. Problem solved

Then they really shouldn't be there in the first place.

[Texan634]

I stand by what I said, that's why I said the majority of fans can't go. When I can afford to pay for my seats I will, and I will be just as angry, but if the upper level seats weren't so expensive I would be at every game. Let the people that pay the prices for the upper level seats pay the same for the lower ones and I will pay 15$ for a higher ticket, and I think a lot of people would.

I'm not saying you guys aren't real fans, but obviously the problem is that not enough passionate fans are going to the games...

I believe the only reason for that is because of ticket prices, do you have a better reason?


Look on Ebay as the game approaches there are plenty of deals to be had. Tickets way below face. You just have to look. I have bought extra tickets on ebay numerous times and have never had a problem. Find one of these willing fans and join their tailgate. Don't buy food or drink inside and I am sure it is as affordable as a any number of activities.

[Dptexanfan]

Lower ticket prices so some more of the real fans can afford to go to games.

I've looked at prices and it isn't really economically feasible to go to a game.

I watch every game at home, and I know many of the people I watch with would be loud and painted and obnoxious the whole game, yet we can't afford to go.

That isn't just the Texans problem, but Sports in general, Rockets games are the same thing.

It's a business, and as long as they sell the tickets for high to fans that wear polos and khaki shorts that show up late and leave early than the majority of real fans that can't afford to go to games won't go.

one thing you might try is buy a parking pass in any lot(blue or yellow since their the biggest) and then walk around about an hour or two before the game and you will run into all kinds of people looking to get rid of their tickets(for whatever reason) for way below face value. I have been a season ticket holder and tailgater since 2003 and I can tell you that you WILL find some really great deals. People always come by our tailgate trying to unload them for 30-50% and more off the face price(I'm sure the scalpers don't want you to read this)Heck, I have had people give me their tickets for some fajitas and beers! just a little inside tip!;)

[TexansFan99]

one thing you might try is buy a parking pass in any lot(blue or yellow since their the biggest) and then walk around about an hour or two before the game and you will run into all kinds of people looking to get rid of their tickets(for whatever reason) for way below face value. I have been a season ticket holder and tailgater since 2003 and I can tell you that you WILL find some really great deals. People always come by our tailgate trying to unload them for 30-50% and more off the face price(I'm sure the scalpers don't want you to read this)Heck, I have had people give me their tickets for some fajitas and beers! just a little inside tip!;)

You don't even need to buy a parking pass..just take the metro.

Although last weekend with the Raider game, many people who normally tailgate did not show up. Our lot, the red lot, was more than half empty. I guess due to the rain. We actually had a couple of people come up to our tailgate asking us whether we had any ticket for sell.