DUKE CANNON'S TAILGATING REFRESHER

For some, football is a game best enjoyed under one’s own roof, tipped back on a Barcalounger. For many others, however, it is a sacred event that without fail requires a physical presence at every home game. For the latter, Duke Cannon would like to talk about the game before the game—that is, tailgating. It’s been a long offseason, and you are no doubt a bit out of shape in this regard, so here are some reminders to help you get quickly back into midseason tailgating form.

DON'T SKIMP ON THE ICE
Remember that it’s just frozen water, not gold bricks. So crowbar open your wallet and spring for multiple large bags of ice so you have plenty for food, drinks, and perhaps most critically, numbing your throwing shoulder if your ambition is younger than your age.

FORGET BREAKFAST
Contrary to what you’ve been told all your life, breakfast is not the most important meal of the day—at least not on game day. Would you rather joylessly consume yet another bowl of soggy bran flakes, or inhale several paper plates worth of encased meats while watching a pregame show on a rabbit-eared television in a parking lot with your buddies? We thought so.

ARRIVAL TIME
They say the early bird gets the worm. Well, when that bird lands he's going to find Duke Cannon’s truck already parked in his spot with his grill warming up.

STRETCH
Cornhole, Polish Horseshoes, even the dreaded “Wave” (yes, that’s still a thing) will all tempt your gaming spirit. But maybe (Probably? Definitely?) you’re not as limber as you were last year, in which case we have two words for you: toe touches.

CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON
Charcoal? Gas? Pellets? Normally we say dance with the girl that brung ya, but there are logistics at play here. You simply don’t have 14 hours to wow everyone with your perfectly smoked, award-winning brisket—the hordes want bratwurst, and they want them now. We suggest a classic Weber with charcoal briquettes for expediency's sake.

BEHAVE
Duke Cannon enjoys yelling and shouting amongst the throngs as much as the next guy, but let’s remember that we are supposed to be adults here, and the last thing you want is for some of your ill-advised shenanigans to make it onto the Jumbotron for all to see. As any good football coach will tell you: “Act like you’ve been there before.”