A Taste of American Sports Culture in Dallas
Every now and then, I’ll drag myself out into the cold for a 5k run. I dabble in a bit of yoga every now and then. I’ll accompany my boyfriend to rugby games. Oh, and I’m always the first one dancing in the bar (especially if there’s some cheeky 90’s R&B).
But that’s about as sporty as I get.
I’ve never been fanatical about sport – constantly checking scores and researching players and building fantasy teams.
But in America, the sports culture is something a bit different. It’s all-encompassing, it refuses to be ignored. Almost every store proudly displays merchandise for their local team, whether that’s soccer, American football or ice hockey. Everyone you speak to is passionate about their team, and tends to know their failures and successes backdating to circa 1990. The stadiums are gargantuan, housing crowds who shout until they’re hoarse and slug beer like there’s no tomorrow.
And in Dallas, home to the Stars and the Cowboys, we got our first proper taste of American sports culture.
Our friends Hooper and Abbie and her family were kind enough to have us stay with them in Dallas, and we’d organised to go to the Stars vs Nashville Predators ice hockey game on NYE.
The atmosphere as we entered the plaza outside the American Airlines Centre was frenzied. In a bar before the game, a sea of green jerseys carried us along in their excitement; and despite being a complete newbie to ice hockey, I couldn’t help but feel buoyed by their passion, their unrelenting support of their team.
Luckily, ice hockey is one of those games you can watch without too much prior knowledge of the game. It’s fast and furious, animated and aggressive. The relationship these players have with the ice is just as impressive as that of a figure skater, and in a way, just as elegant and mesmerising to watch. Countless pairs of powerful skates sliced through the surface, leaving jets of slush in their wake; faceless figures taking impossible corners and shots at ridiculous speeds. Above us, a giant screen replayed all of the action, and giant blimps advertising fast food chains and amusement parks floated bizarrely above, occasionally dropping free coupons onto the baying crowds. Gorgeous girls entered the ice at intervals, waving like pageant queens and mopping up excess ice. I felt like I’d stepped into every American college film I’d ever watched. We supped Miller Lite and joined in the cacophony of “Dallas! Stars!” every time a goal was scored.
My first taste of live American sport was fun – but apparently I’d seen nothing yet. A few days later we headed to the Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins NFL game. Nothing can really prepare you for walking into the huge AT&T stadium. Soaring above the pitch are dizzying stalls as high as skyscrapers. I wouldn’t be surprised if your ears popped up in the “nosebleeds”. A crowd of 80,000 rumbles and roars as they watch the action unfold on the pitch. The atmosphere is like nothing I’ve ever felt before – the result of the game is almost irrelevant. It feels like the experience of turning up, supporting and having a great time is enough.
Despite not being the biggest of sports fans, I loved my introduction to American sports culture in Dallas. I won’t be joining any fantasy leagues any time soon, but I’m more than happy to grab a beer and watch the game.
