The story of how I discovered America's game and the ongoing odyssey to visit every NFL stadium in the USA (and some college too)
Our 6th trip to JerryWorld, beating up on the Dolphins in Week 3 2019 to move to 3-0 then miss the playoffs :(
TL;DR
Started watching NFL & following Dallas in 1993
Visited 22 NFL stadiums (some are retired)
10-14 record all time watching the Cowboys in person
Played amateur American Football for 8 years in Australia
Absolutely love watching American football.
But it's tough when Sunday games kickoff at 3am on a Monday in Australia.
Watching the game by yourself on the couch with coffee before heading to work is a little different
to Sundays in a sports bar with beer, wings and your mates.
Which begs the question I get asked regularly;
How did you become a Cowboys / American Football fan?
As a teenager in the early 90's I watched a lot of late night TV that included David Letterman and Jay Leno.
Don was a larger than life personality who did wonders for the sport in Australia, especially for me as he continually
broadcasted the Cowboys who were dominating the league at the time. Naturally I gravitated towards the team of the moment and this love affair with the Star began,
culminating in skipping the first day of high school year 12 to watch the Cowboys beat the Steelers in Super Bowl XXX in 1996.
But football is a sport that's so much better in person
Have been very lucky to attend many games, albeit with mixed success leading to a 10-14
record when watching the Cowboys in person.
Ironically, my top five favourite & most memorable games were all losses.
Believe it or not, it doesn't matter if your team wins. These are my five fav games:
A 30 point drubbing in Denver when the stadium was struck by lightning;
the 2019 playoff v Rams at L.A. Coliseum we had no business playing in;
a 2013 90 point shoot-out in Dallas as Romo threw 500 and Peyton pulled an all-time play-action;
2021 season opener in Tampa as Brady unveiled *another* ring to beat us on the final drive;
and most recently a wild OT game at Lambeau yet again losing to Aaron.
The two most boring games were both Cowboys wins.
Proof that you don't need to win to enjoy the NFL in person.
0 years ago2024-18-28
Niners win yet again 30-24
Cowboys @ Niners
Levi Stadium - Santa Clara CA
First trip back to the US in two years and our old neighbourhood of Santa Clara. Cowboys never got going and the score flattered them as it was never really close. Nice to see football again even if for the last time for some time :(.2 years ago2022-11-20
Cowboys stomp Vikes 40-3
Cowboys @ Vikings
US Bank Stadim - Minneapolis MN
Modern stadium resembling a viking ship in downtown Minneapolis but the home team don't show up. Game was over at half time proving once again a win doesn't necessarily make for a memorable game.2 years ago2022-11-13
Cowboys lose 31-28 in OT
Cowboys @ Packers
Lambeau Field - Greenbay, WI
Finally a trip to the home of football. Freezing temperature all game which went to the wire and in to overtime before the Cowboys do Cowboys things and that bad man ran over them in the end. My new favorite of the older stadiums.2 years ago2022-10-09
Cowboys win 22-10
Cowboys @ Rams
SoFi Stadium - Los Angeles, CA
Extraordinary experience in the SoFi suite joined by Kim Kardashian, Magic Johnson, John Legend and the Vince Lombardi trophy. Incredible day and a solid Cowboys W behind the NFL's best defense.2 years ago2022-02-13
Rams defeat Bengals 23-20
Super Bowl LVI
SoFi Stadium - Los Angeles, CA
Ticked off an epic bucket list item with a trip to SoFi for the Super Bowl with On Location. Incredible experience, fantastic game and half time show for the ages. So very lucky, and very glad we did.3 years ago2021-09-19
Cowboys win 20-27
Cowboys @ Chargers
SoFi Stadium - Los Angeles, CA
Finally a trip to the stadium with my employer written on the roof; it's pretty badass. Cowboys got the run game going with the two-headed monster and the rookie LB Parsons balled out from the edge. Player paid to do one job kicks a field goal and wins a wild game in front of a home crowd.3 years ago2021-09-09
Cowboys lose 31-29
Cowboys @ Buccaneers
Raymond James Stadium - Tampa, FL
First pro game in 2 years, Dak returns from the ankle and the Buccaneers celebrate their chip. Both teams trade touchdowns and despite a herculean effort by #4 and four takeaways by the Defense, 84 seconds is too long for the GOAT Brady who wins it late and we fall to 0-3 seeing him live.3 years ago2021-08-14
No idea, left early
Jaguars vs Browns
TIAA Bank Field - Jacksonville, FL
Trevor Lawrence registers a strip sack fumble for his first professional snap but shows enough for me to draft him in my keeper league. Was nice to be back at the football, albeit for 2 quarters. Don't try to get an Uber from here.5 years ago2019-12-14
Navy wins easily
Army vs Navy
The Linc - Philadelphia, PA
In front of the Commander in Chief, Army gets on the board first but Navy runs away with it literally. Only 3 passes thrown all game and it was raining so the US military couldn't fly their helicopters. Wild.5 years ago2019-12-05
Cowboys lose 31-24
Cowboys @ Bears
Soldier Field - Chicago, IL
Cowboys chew up 8 minutes of clock on an opening 75 yard touchdown drive before utterly shitting the bed and do nothing for the rest of the game. Great stadium! #FireGarrett5 years ago2019-11-30
BC win 26-19
Boston College @ Pitt
Heinz Field - Pittsburgh PA
Not many fans turn up and Pitt definitely didn't either. Kenny Pickett was a junior and backup QB. Next morning saw Steeler fans tailgating 7 hours before kickoff in the driving rain.5 years ago2019-11-24
Cowboys lose 13-9
Cowboys @ Patriots
Gillette Stadium - Foxborough MA
Freezing conditions and driving rain didn't dampen the mood in the stands. Absurd penalties and a terrible Head Coach (you don't kick field goals down 7 late) doomed the final drive #FireGarrett5 years ago2019-09-22
Cowboys win 31-6
Dolphins @ Cowboys
Cowboys Stadium - Arlington TX
First trip back to Arlington in 2 years and the delapidated Dolphins got their ass kicked. Cowboys were 3-0 and we started making Super Bowl plans.5 years ago2019-01-12
Rams win 30-22; go to Super Bowl
NFC Division Playoff
LA Coliseum - Los Angeles CA
Complete fluke buy tickets to this game before the playoffs even started. First ever Cowboys playoff we had no business being in or at. Amazing night.6 years ago2018-12-02
Chiefs win 40-33
Chiefs @ Raiders
Coliseum - Oakland CA
Took the train to Oakland one Sunday with some friends to see Mahomes vs Carr. Atypical shootout and nice December day in the sun.6 years ago2018-10-07
Cowboys lose 16-19
Cowboys @ Texans
NRG Stadium - Houston TX
Frustrating game in a wonderful, loud stadium that serves too much beer. Would have gone for it on 4th down coach #FireGarrett6 years ago2018-09-20
Cowboys lose 13-24
Cowboys @ Seahawks
Century Link Field - Seattle WA
Loudest stadium in football. Great city and awesome game experience but the Cowboys didn't show up7 years ago2017-10-22
Cowboys win 40-10
Cowboys @ Niners
Levi's Stadium - Santa Clara CA
A game at our local: we caught the tram to Levi's and watched Zeke run riot all over the Niners for a blowout win.7 years ago2017-10-01
Cowboys lose 30-35
Rams @ Cowboys
Cowboys Stadium - Arlington TX
Well in control through halftime before Goff and Gurley ran over the Cowboys and announced themselves to the NFL. Club seats highly recommended.7 years ago2017-09-17
Cowboys lose 17-42
Cowboys @ Broncos
Mile Hight Stadium - Denver CO
Best away crowd yet; the folks in Denver were fantastic as we got beat down by the Broncos and watched fellow GV alumni Adam Gotsis playing for the home team. Lightning storm saw us evacuate the stands for nearly an hour - crazy!7 years ago2017-09-10
Cowboys win 19-3
Giants @ Cowboys
Cowboys Stadium - Arlington TX
Opened the season at home after Hurricane Harvey smashed Texas. Dallas smashed the Giants. Boorish Giants fans should stay in New York.8 years ago2016-11-06
Cowboys win 35-10
Cowboys @ Browns
First Energy Stadium - Cleveland OH
Our actual seats front row of the endzone as the Cowboys stomped all over the poor Browns. Nice crowd tho.8 years ago2016-10-30
Cowboys win 29-23 in OT
Eagles @ Cowboys
Cowboys Stadium - Arlington TX
First game with Angie: terrible game until the Cowboys sneak in to OT and Dak hits Witten in the back of the endzone. Stood on the Star the next day.8 years ago2016-01-11
Alabama wins
NCAA National Championship
University of Phoenix Stadium - Glendale, AZ
Alabama come storming back to defeat Clemson late and claim *another* National Championship.9 years ago2015-10-11
Cowboys lose 6-30
Patriots @ Cowboys
Cowboys Stadium - Arlington TX
What was supposed to be Tony Romo vs Jimmy Garoppolo became Weedon vs Tom Brady as Deflategate was overturned and Romo broke his collarbone. Only game I've ever left early.9 years ago2015-10-04
Cowboys lose 20-26 in OT
Cowboys @ Saints
Superdome - New Orleans LA
Brandon Weedon incredibly forces overtime but Brees was too good with a deep ball to win. NOLA knows how to party.10 years ago2014-12-07
Dolphins lose 13-28
Ravens @ Dolphins
Hard Rock Stadium - Miami Gardens FL
That time I sat front row of the endzone and was on the jumbotron. Luckily the guy behind me took this picture.11 years ago2013-10-07
Cowboys lose 48-51
Broncos @ Cowboys
Cowboys Stadium - Arlington TX
First trip to Jerryworld: Peyton and Romo throw for a thousand yards in a wild shoot out. Best game I've ever seen.11 years ago2013-09-15
Cowboys lose 16-17
Cowboys @ KC
Arrowhead Stadium - Kansas City
Sitting front row at midfield, watched the Cowboys offense never get going and lose by a point. At the time the loudest stadium until we went to Seattle...16 years ago2008-11-23
Cowboys win 35-22
Niners @ Cowboys
Texas Stadium - Irving TX
The last season before they bulldozed Texas Stadium. Romo threw 3 scores and we beat the old foe. Did you know the stadium was sinking in to a hole?16 years ago2008-11-16
Cowboys win 14-10
Cowboys @ Washington DC
Fedex Field - Washington DC
Freezing cold night in DC, looks photoshopped I know. Romo threw a late TD to TO to beat the Washington football team
And some college games as well
In addition to seeing a few college games in NFL stadiums,
always tried to visit whatever college game was being played on the Saturday
when visiting a new city for the NFL.
5 years ago2019-10-18
UCLA win 35-16 easily
UCLA @ Stanford
Stanford Stadium - Palo Alto, CA
Wandered in one night5 years ago2019-08-30
San Jose win 35-18
Northern Colorado @ San Jose
San Jose State - San Jose, CA
Supporting our home-town team one Saturday night under the bubble-gum California sunset. Turns out one of the few college stadiums to sell beer!7 years ago2017-12-01
USC win 31-28
PAC-12 Championship: USC vs Stanford
Levi Stadium - Santa Clara, CA
Amazing final drive as Sam Darnold leads the Trojans to the PAC-12 Championship.8 years ago2016-11-05
Michigan destroy 59-3
Maryland @ Michigan
Big House - Ann Arbor, MI
2 days before the 2016 Presidential election, Jabril Peppers and the Wolverines lay waste to DJ Moore and Maryland as we stand on the field pre-game in front of 110,000 fans.8 years ago2016-10-22
Utah win 52-45
Utah @ UCLA
Rose Bowl - Pasadena CA
Wild shoot out at the Rose Bowl with the Garraways.9 years ago2015-10-09
Texas win 24-17
Oklahoma @ Texas
Cotton Bowl - Dallas Tx
40+ degrees at the Texas State Fair for the Red River Rivalry with the Garraways. Baker Mayfield under center for the Sooners.10 years ago2014-11-29
Alabama win 55-44
Auburn @ Alabama
Bryan Denny Stadium - Tuscaloose AL
101,000 fans pack in to see Alabama run down the Tigers as Amari Cooper goes for 3 touchdowns and 240+ yards. Wild finish.10 years ago2014-11-27
Texas lose 49-10
TCU @ Texas
Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium - Austin Tx
Thanksgiving game in front of 96,000 as TCU runs all over the Longhorns.11 years ago2013-10-06
Notre Dame win 37-34
ASU vs Notre Dame
Cowboys Stadium (neutral venue) - Dallas TX
Neutral venue for the Sun Devils vs the Irish who hang on to win. Paid $10 for a standing ticket.11 years ago2013-10-05
Rutgers win 55-52 in OT
Rutgers @ SMU
SMU - Dallas TX
Small crowd, small stadium produced a shoot out. Could sit wherever you wanted.11 years ago2013-09-14
