One of my favorite things to hear as a child was, “Romo to Bryant, touchdown Dallas!”
Growing up in Texas, football was everywhere, especially the Dallas Cowboys. I was a daddy’s girl, and my dad was a huge Cowboys fan. Some of my favorite memories are sitting beside him on the couch, watching him rock back and forth in anticipation of the Cowboys’ next play. Obviously, I fell in love with the team, too, because watching football meant spending time with my dad. I always dreamed of attending a Dallas Cowboys game, and in November 2021, I attended my first. It was everything I could’ve wanted and more, except the Cowboys losing.
I can still picture that day: crowds making their way toward AT&T Stadium, fans wearing jerseys of Cowboys players past and present, and music drifting from tailgates along the way. One moment I’ll never forget was a truck wrapped in Cowboys graphics, decorated with flags and blasting Wiz Khalifa’s “We Dem Boyz” as it drove past us. What could be better than that? I promised myself that it wouldn’t be my last game in Dallas. I wanted to see the Cowboys play whenever and wherever I could.
Game Day in Dallas
On Oct. 8, the Dallas Cowboys hosted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Thursday Night Football. My day started at 4 a.m. when I headed to the airport to watch my Cowboys play under the primetime lights. I’ve traveled for a game before but never on game day. I was surprised by how many fans were traveling to Dallas. From Cowboys jerseys to Buccaneers gear, the airport was filled with fans ready for the game.
As soon as our plane touched down in Dallas, Buccaneers fans started chanting for Tampa Bay. Cowboys fans stayed quiet. We were home. We didn’t need to get loud. After landing in Dallas, I went to my hotel to get ready for one of my favorite parts of game day: tailgating.
There was no shortage of tailgates. From parking lots to nearby restaurants, Cowboys fans gathered around before kickoff to celebrate America’s Team. My friend and I attended the Silver State VIP Tailgate across the street from the stadium, a sea of silver and blue, with a few Buccaneers fans mixed in. Food, drinks, live DJs, and Cowboys gear added to the excitement.
This game was extra special because it was my first time attending a primetime Cowboys game. Watching football under the lights feels different from an early afternoon kickoff, and I couldn’t wait to experience it in person.
About 30 minutes before kickoff, my friend and I walked across the street to AT&T Stadium so we wouldn’t miss the Cowboys run out of the tunnel. Vendors were selling Cowboys flags, jerseys, and necklaces, and fans stopped to take pictures in front of the stadium. Music was blaring, and the energy was high.Â
Stepping inside felt like entering a completely different world. Thousands of fans rushed to their seats, while others lined up for food and drinks. Our seats were in the end zone, and I wanted one of those rally towels I’d always seen fans waving on television. When I got to my seat, there was one waiting for me. I immediately picked it up and started twirling it.
After the national anthem, it was finally time for kickoff. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys were on the field.
One thing I loved about AT&T Stadium is how it displays the crowd’s noise level on the big screen. At one point, the display reached 105 decibels, and my ears rang as I screamed alongside thousands of Cowboys fans.
The Cowboys marched down the field and scored the first touchdown. I was on my feet, twirling my rally towel and cheering. And watching Brandon Aubrey’s first field goal fly straight toward me in the end zone had me even more hyped.Â
Football may be the main attraction, but the food at AT&T Stadium deserves its own spotlight. From foot-long hot dogs piled high with toppings to tacos, barbecue, and mac and cheese, the stadium had just about everything that makes a Texan happy. Add in the souvenir cups, music, and talking with fans, even those cheering for Tampa Bay. There was so much more to enjoy than what was happening on the field.
More Than a Final Score
Unfortunately, the Cowboys’ opening drive was one of the night’s few highlights. However, one of my favorite moments came from former UCF Knight Malachi Lawrence, whom the Cowboys drafted in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Lawrence recorded his first career NFL sack. As a UCF student and lifelong Cowboys fan, witnessing that milestone made the night even more special.
As Tampa Bay continued putting points on the board, Dallas struggled to keep up. Two interceptions from our offense only added to the frustration.
But Cowboys fans never went quiet. We continued cheering, waving our rally towels and holding on to the hope that our team could turn things around. Even as the clock wound down, I believed there was still a chance for a comeback.
After another Cowboys loss, I walked out of AT&T Stadium disappointed, but the energy around us was still high. Fans talked about the game and their frustrations, reminding each other that we were still America’s Team.
It’s hard to explain how watching your favorite team lose can still leave you in a good mood. But I’d rather watch the Cowboys lose in person than from my couch. There’s something special about being surrounded by thousands of strangers who share the same love for a team, even when things don’t go our way.
The final score wasn’t what I’d hoped for, but the experience was almost everything I wanted it to be.