The only sports event in America that is celebrated as a national holiday is the Super Bowl. For one day, it is expected that you will tune in for at least part of the game. Of course, there are a lot of people that don’t watch it, but the same can be said about Christmas.

This year, the Super Bowl just happened to be played in Dallas. It was close enough (3 hours by car) that I could drive up for the weekend despite the fact that I didn’t actually have tickets to the game. Tickets cost $700 minimum, and most were several thousands of dollars. I wanted to go, but that’s just not in my budget, not now at least.

Despite not having tickets, we went to Dallas to enjoy the festivities and take in the action from the Big Game in Big D.

The first thing we did was check out the NFL Experience.

The New Orleans Saints Cheerleaders.

Mike Sims Walker signs a football for a boy.

The following day, we went into Fort Worth to see what they had going on.

Football is king in Texas

ESPN took over Downtown Cowtown (as Fort Worth is often known).

Cameras and people. Lots of people.

The Cowboy Capitol is nice at night.

The Fort Worth Stockyards are one of the main attractions, with livestock and rodeo.

Stockyard Station.

John Wayne sporting a Stockyard t-shirt and Super Bowl jacket.

I think there is a rule that all Saturday nights must end at Billy Bob’s Honky Tonk.

And finally, Sunday came around.

Big Game for the Big Ballers.

The media was in full force for this event.

How much? For what?

Cowboys fans are representing.

True, very true.

True as well, and going for number 7.

But the Packers are pretty mean looking.

We left the stadium to watch, but returned the following day to go on a Cowboys Stadium Tour.

Taking the sign down from the stadium.

The Stadium from above.

The Packers Win!

The Cowboys locker room, which the Green Bay Packers used.

Look who called last – President Obama calls to congratulate the Packers for their win.

Super Bowl Hangover.

After spending a weekend in Dallas and Fort Worth celebrating what may be America’s biggest event, we were all football’d out, and ready to head back to Austin.

If you want to look at the entire album, check them out on Smugmug here.

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