Event 8 – Why Everything’s Bigger in Texas

The Written Word

Part 1 – Friday Night’s Lights Shine Brightly
Part 2 – Red River Rivals and Me
Part 3 – How ’bout Them Lions?
- Sidetrip – The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

Still Images

Game-Sign

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This sign outside the Permian HS gym says it all about how the Panthers feel about their crosstown rivals, Odessa HS.

Video

^{The exterior of Odessa’s (TX) Ratliff Stadium.}

^{The Odessa Permian HS marching band during pregame.}

^{Permian’s Tyran Williams returns this kick for a TD.}

^{The Ratliff Stadium light show following an Odessa HS touchdown.}

^{The Ratliff Stadium light show following a Permian HS touchdown.}

^{The second half runout by OHS & PHS at Ratliff Stadium.}

^{Cotton Bowl Stadium section arrival before Red River Rivalry.}

^{Red River Rivalry pregame military formation fly over.}

^{The mass of people clamoring to get into the Cotton Bowl Stadium is nuts!}

^{The Texas Longhorns take the field before the Red River Rivalry.}

^{The Oklahoma Sooners take the field before the Red River Rivalry.}

^{The final play of the 2024 Red River Rivalry.}

^{Walking into the lower level of AT&T Stadium in Dallas.}

^{The Dallas Cowboys’ cheerleaders enter AT&T Stadium.}

^{The Rhythm & Blue dancers/drum line enters a concourse.}

^{A Rhythm & Blue dancer performs a solo.}

^{A Rhythm & Blue drum line member peforms a solo.}

^{The Lions’ “Gridiron Heroes” song breaks out in AT&T Stadium.}

Audio

^{Big Country (TX) Athletic Hall of Fame Chair, Al Pickett, discusses Texas football and more during this episode.}

^{Doug, Macker, and Rob take a few moments following the Cowboys-Lions game to reflect on their Texas experience.}

Fun Facts

Traveling Party – Doug, Wayne, and Macker for all three; Rob for the final two
Last Time Visited – None of the trio had previously attended Texas high school, college, for professional football games
Witnessing History – The Lions 47-9 victory over the Cowboys was what’s known as NFL Scorigami. Scorigami is a unique NFL final score. In the 100-plus year history of U.S. professional football, it was the first time a game ended with that score.
- Bonus Fun Fact – Of the three Scorigamis this season, the Cowboys have been on the losing end of two (Saints 44, Cowboys 19 on Sept. 15)
A Weekend of Firsts – It was my first time witnessing a non-Michigan, Indiana, or Alaska high school football game in person. … It was my first time attending a Southeastern Conference college football game (yeah, I know Oklahoma and Texas were in the Big 12 a year ago). … It was my first time ever seeing the top-ranked team in college football (Texas was No. 1 when this game was played). … It was my first time ever seeing the Detroit Lions win a road game (they were 0-3 with me in attendance).
Running List of States Traveled To/Through – Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, & West Virginia
Running List of Countries Traveled To/Through – Canada (Ontario & Quebec), England, Scotland, United States, & Wales
Distance Traveled – 2,171 miles round trip
Cumulative Distance Traveled After Eight Events – 14,895 miles
Up Next: NASCAR Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, VA