This season, FanHouse writers take their cameras to NFL stadiums to document what happens when you stop being polite and start getting real. Or something. We've cleverly titled it "FanHouse in the Stands."The end zone seats at many stadiums are usually where you can find some of the most passionate fans. They are the closest seats to the field that are semi-affordable to regular fans.
At Reliant Stadium, there is a section of seats in the north end zone that the Houston Texans call "The Bull Pen." It's a section where standing the entire game is pretty much mandatory, and they don't recommend families sitting in that area.
Last Sunday, courtesy of some friends, I sat in the front row of The Bull Pen, and I wanted to give you a flavor of what it is like. This entry includes semi-vulgarity, fashion don'ts and cheerleader dancing video....very up close...for those of the FanHouse readership who like that sort of thing.

Zombie Texans
I know a lot of people knock folks for dressing up at games, but I absolutely adore it. I mean, why be so serious when what you are paying money to watch grown mens battling over a ball.
I know the players like it when fans dress in fan gear for the event that is an NFL game, so why the heck not? Be a brain-eating, Texan zombie that expresses undead happiness of winning three games in a row.
I can tell you unequivocally that if you dress up to go to a sporting event, you have much more fun than if you don't. It marks you as a part of the community, and people are more welcoming to you, even if you are a zombie.
Does that read 'Luck Dallas?'
Some Texans fans like Dallas as their NFC team. Some Texans fans loathe the Cowboys.This Bull Pen denizen recycled his old David Carr jersey in a creative way I've never seen before.
You see, for a while,
This guy gets an 'A' for creativity and helping keep the world a cleaner place by recycling.
Up Close with the Texans Cheerleaders
At the two minute warning, the Texans cheerleaders do a dance in the endzone. So if you want to get a sense of how close the seats are to the field or just enjoy watching cheerleaders, check out this Texans Cheerleader YouTube from Sunday:
If you want to see more Texans cheerleader video, check out the team website (warning autoplay).
Sunday's Fashion Do's and Don'ts

There are usually too many Fashion Don'ts at any football game to discuss, but I've illustrated a number of them with my photoshop telestrator.
1. Don't wear other team jerseys or hat or some random color yellow, even if yellow matches your live snake. Yes, we appreciate that you still love Brett Favre as a Packer fan, but Favre as a Jet or a Packer wasn't playing in the Bengals-Texans game.
2. Do not bring a live snake. Even if you can use it to convince some silly blogger that the only way you will do an interview if she is in the video with you and the snake.
3. In the background, Josh demonstrates proper NFL fan attire. He is repping a Texans jersey and wearing sunglasses and a Texans hat to protect him from the sun.
See, that's not hard. Don't freaking show up to a Bengals-Texans game wearing a yellow shirt or a Brett Favre Green Bay jersey.
In any event, it is big fun to sit in the Bull Pen, and I recommend Texans fans to try to do it at least once if you can manage. That would be the last place I would recommend opposing fans sitting. I'd like to thank The Bull Pen for being such gracious hosts and making my time watching the Texans beat down the Bengals extra entertaining.




















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-29-2008 @ 7:55PM
Tedc said...
Steph,
I was nice having you in the Bull Pen. You are always welcome. You are our kind of people....only smarter.
Reply
10-29-2008 @ 7:57PM
Stephanie Stradley said...
Ted!!
You are too kind. That was pretty much a perfect day.
Thanks again.
-Steph
Reply
10-29-2008 @ 10:27PM
Wade said...
A+ in the spirit department for the cheerleaders.
Good work.
Reply
10-30-2008 @ 2:34PM
Tobin said...
You are 100% right.
More Zombies,
No Snakes, ("eek!")
Luck Dallas,
Close up Cheerleader Video,
everything a good blog needs.
Reply
12-02-2008 @ 12:02PM
Ryan ""Yankee" said...
"Even if you are a zombie?" Is this blog discriminating against the undead? :)
Reply