Captain of the Tailgate: Memories

Every Friday over the past several weeks we've be talked tailgating. That's thanks to a cool sponsorship deal with Captain Morgan. You know, the maker tasty sweet spiced rum with the wacky pirate mascot. Mmmm.

This is the last of these posts. They've been somewhat enjoyable.

Anyway, I want to get some interaction on this one. Tell me the worst weather you've tailgated in. Mine is after the jump, along with a video of Marissa Miller.

If you didn't know, the college team I root for is the University of Akron. It's rough. Today the Zips could go winless for the season. I am missing the game, sadly.

Anyway, the most memorable tailgating for me happened at the Akron/Kent rivalry game. The game started at 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving day in 2005. The temperature was near zero, the snow was coming down hard and it was a blizzard. The conditions were absolutely brutal.

We didn't cook any food that morning. Instead, we huddled around our tiny grill on the ground to stay warm. Also keeping us warm were a few flasks of booze. The liquid pancho.

The game itself was a real sight. Heavy winds were killing every punt. In fact, one Akron punt went backwards. The Zips persevered, however. Thanks to a strong run game, Akron destroyed Kent 35-3. Eat it Josh Cribbs.

The Zips went on to win the Mid-American Conference that year over Northern Illinois. In the Motor City Bowl, Akron was destroyed by Memphis and DeAngelo Williams. Still, it was that Kent game that most of us remember most. Sitting out in the cold and snow is what tailgating is all about.

So tell your favorite tailgating memory. And watch this video of Marissa Miller. That'll warm your cockles.