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Women’s Events: New Playing Field

Dorcey Kuti (and female fans) at “Game Day Girls Way” Texans Watch Party

I was recently approached by a group of amazingly avid Texans fans inviting me to one of their “Game Day Girls Way” watch parties. Ok, you have my attention.

Although I’ve yet to make one of their events due to timing, I found some time to interview the group to share it with the readers of The Blonde Side.

Here’s a look into my interview with the ladies of The Social Chix Collective (TSCC):

TBS: When, why and how was this group founded?

TSCC: Founded in 2009, The Social Chix Collective is a professional alliance initiative developed by PR entrepreneurs Kelly King, Dorcey Kuti and myself to promote the growth of public relations professionals through building business relationships and partnerships. We created our business alliance out of mutual respect for each other’s work ethic, recognition that we are much more powerful with the support of one another, and a desire to work on projects that are bigger than any one of us individually.

“Game Day Girls Way” is one of our women’s initiative designed to raise awareness of the influential female presence in what is known as the male-dominated sports world and in the general market. Women influence well over 85% of purchases made throughout the world. As PR and Marketing minds, we thought that was amazing! We want to send a message through Game Day Girls’ Way that in all areas, even sports, women are the influencers; we drive trends and shape our communities.

TBS: How many women in the group? How did you get the word out in this big ole city of Houston?

TSCC: It’s just three of us. One of the really cool things about it being just us is that we each can use the projects we work on together as a platform to raise awareness of our individual companies and projects we support on our own. Simultaneously, we are also garnering attention for The Social Chix as well. Through our partnership and the projects that we take on as a group, we hope to encourage other women to build alliances with women within their networks too. We brand The Social Chix Collective by developing cool initiatives like Game Day Girls Way.

The Social Cix: Dorcey Kuti, Marjorie Sheriff & Kelly King

TBS: I gotta ask, what is the dress code? Must you come blinged out in Texans wear?

TSCC: There is no dress code for the Game Day Girls’ Way “Watch Parties”– we encourage the ladies to dress up in their favorite football fan gear. During the month of October we were spotlighting breast cancer awareness so we encouraged the ladies to dress in pink or incorporate into their fan gear.

TBS: How can other women join in on the fun? Is there a website, do you pay dues, give me the nitty gritty details?

TSCC: The ladies can follow us on Facebook or checkout our blog.

TBS: Where do these “Watch Parties” take place?

TSCC: Each of the Game Day Girls’ Way “Watch Parties” takes place at Mosaic Bar & Lounge (5927 Almeda Rd., Suite 190K, Houston, TX 77004). There will be more Game Day Girls’ Way events beyond football season. We use many different major sporting events as playing fields for bringing women together for all sorts of fun!

TBS: What about the guys? You don’t like watching football with them? You do like beer, right?

TSCC: Well, it just so happens that there are quite a few guys who come out too! (After all, women like a little eye candy!) However, the atmosphere is conducive to a night out with the girls. This definitely isn’t your man-cave kind of party. There are cocktails, trivia games, music, door prizes, women’s product giveaways and gift bags, vendors and fun that appeals to women. Lady football fans are there and believe us, there’s a lot of game watching going on, but there’s a lot of mingling and chatting too. There’s a vibe of sisterhood involved and there’s really nothing else like it!

Kelly King with Lady Texans Fans at “Game Day Girls Way” Texans Watch Party

TBS: Do you get any support from the team, players, or their wives?

TSCC: During the 2013 NBA All-Star Weekend in Houston we actually hosted a Game Day Girls Way “Glam Slam!” weekend in which many basketball wives participated in such as Candace Ford (wife of TJ Ford), Ashley Alston (wife of Rafer Alston), Clarenda McGrady (wife of Tracy McGrady), and Shelby Francis (wife of Steve Francis). Some of the ladies have come to the more recent Game Day Girls’ Way “Watch Parties” and we greatly appreciate them coming out and supporting. There’s a mutual respect there as well. During NBA All-Star we used our events to create awareness of My I.N.C. (headed by Kisha Beard and Candace Ford) and we look forward to working with other groups involved with the sports we touch.

TBS: What are the benefits for girls coming? Why forgo how they currently watch games?

TSCC: It’s really about the experience. The freebies and giveaways are great items to take away from the event, but it’s more about the fun atmosphere, being among women in a fun and positive setting, having a girl’s getaway for the day. The Game Day Girls’ Way “Watch Parties” offer women the chance to experience something different every time they come out and share experiences with friends or network and meet other women who are doing cool things in this city.

Thanks to the ladies of The Social Chix Collective (us brands that adamantly start with “The” in our business names gotta stick together!) for the invitation and all the information. Be sure to check out their group for upcoming dates and fun pieces on this new playing field with some of Houston’s most spirited fans. Go Texans!

October 24, 2013/by Jayme

Bye Texans

Football

Texans Brian Cushing out with season-ending injury yet again

The Texans have a bye week, but is it time to say bye to the season?

What’s left of the Texans? That seems to be what everyone is asking. Here’s my motto for the rest of the season:

One. Game. At. A. Time.

Sunday’s game against the undefeated Chiefs including Case Keenum’s performance and the rest of the moving parts FINALLY pulling their acts together was in fact encouraging, although it didn’t add to the positive side of the now 2-5 record. I don’t know about y’all but football looked fun again.

I can’t sit here and say the Texans still have a chance at the playoffs, at least not with a straight face, but it’s not completely out of the question. Crazier things have happened. Case in point: the Astros being the most profitable team in Major League Baseball even with three straight seasons of 100+ losses.

The good thing about Sunday in Arrowhead was that the Texans showed they had just a little bit of life left in them. They looked excited. They had heart. They had faith. They fought. All things we hadn’t seen much of in the past few weeks. The defense stepped up in the second half allowing just one field goal – all positives.

The other good thing is the team is headed into a much needed bye week. But is there any hope left for this team this season?

While fans have probably halted their searches for airfare deals to New York in February, we can still hope for an exciting eight weeks left of good football and improvement. At least I am. Because eight weeks of anything boring is, well…a waste of time.

If there is a chance, and that’s a Texas-sized if, time is as big of an enemy as the current 2-5 record. Each of the 32 teams are given 16 weeks to showcase how good they are on the field, and the Texans have squandered away five straight weeks by showing the world the complete opposite. And if we’re being honest, the first two wins weren’t really the All-Star indicators we had expected to see – you shouldn’t have to bust your tail to comeback like that.

Duane Brown and Texans Offense (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)

A few pieces to keep this season on the up and up:

Confidence. Our players have got to find this again. Our quarterback, whoever it is, needs confidence in the pocket. Confidence also comes from not being drilled into the ground on every other offensive play. Keenum was sacked on every third down in the fourth quarter (five total). Two of those were his own mistakes not reading the blitz, but as a rookie, the confidence and performance displayed by Case Keenum was spot-on.
Time management. I never thought I’d see a day where Andy Reid managed the clock better than his opponent, but Sunday in Arrowhead showed otherwise.
Fix the details. It’s too late to reinvent this wheel and this isn’t really a wheel that should need reinvention. I’d be hard-pressed to say that Kubiak is getting fired mid-season or that Schaub is getting traded, but it’s the details we need to focus on. Figuring out our running back situations in case we run into another game where both Foster and Tate are out.
Here’s another detail I’d like to see fixed: get Derrick Newton OFF THE FIELD.

Luckily these guys get to take next Sunday off (so I can focus solely on the Eagles and the improvements needed there), which includes four consecutive and much needed days off (mandated by new NFL rules). That also means fans can take a week off too.

Thank goodness.

The only person who shouldn’t take a break this week? Gary Kubiak.

I’m fine with having a conservative state when it comes to politics, but not when it comes to football. In the fourth quarter against the Chiefs, the Texans had four possessions. Guess how many points were scored off those four possessions? ZERO.

Next Sunday when Andrew Luck comes into Reliant, we need to capitalize on every possession to keep ourselves in the game, and we need to force turnovers like we did against the Chiefs.

And I think every single Texans fan cried a little on the inside on the Cushing injury. Not only because he’s such a loss to the defense we still desperately need, but because he’s fought so hard to come back and these are the seven games he came back for? Again, you hate seeing any player injured (yes, even a pick-six-throwing quarterback), and definitely good guys like Brian Cushing.

Technically the season’s not over, but I’m not going to send any of my hard-earned money to Vegas on the odds we’re currently running.

So next Sunday, after a week off for all of us, the Texans (and the jersey-burning fans) will yet again find themselves on national TV during primetime, lets at least try not to look like the Vikings. And at least Josh Freeman won’t be sporting a Texans jersey. See, there’s brightside yet again!

October 23, 2013/by Jayme

Notes from San Fran

Football

Texans fans in San Fran (my blonde hair to the left!)

I don’t mean to beat a dead horse and talk about the exact same thing everyone who has ever watched football has been hammering on about for weeks, but WE MUST: Matt Schaub.

I actually do feel bad for Matt Schaub at this point in the game. I still agree he gets paid a good deal of dough to throw the ball to his own teammates, but I see these “fans” continue to rip him apart and it’s downright disturbing. I was at the game on Sunday in San Francisco and as much as I try to forget seeing that poor performance live, there were a few things I noticed. Perhaps you noticed this on TV, but if not, here are my observations:

When Schaub threw his fourth consecutive pick-six (it actually hurts to say that), the TV cameras were probably first pointed at the un-intended receiver, Tramaine Brock, but my eyes were glued on Schaub, mostly due to disbelief. His face said it all. You could see his “are you serious” look through his helmet. I’m not a football player, I have no idea if someone ran the wrong route or something was off, but Schaub was shocked. We were shocked. Y’all were shocked. Didn’t “we” just spend the last seven days working on exactly that same situation to avoid exactly the same costly mistake?

As Schaub reluctantly trotted off the field, he went directly to Kubiak. Who knows what aggressive words came out of his mouth or what he was asking, but Kubiak’s reaction is what I’m slightly floored about: he smiled. The Texans quarterback, with a guaranteed salary of $24.75 million, just threw his fourth pick-six in four straight games, and you smile? Why aren’t you pissed and shocked and upset like all the other 4 million Houstonians? Throw something, yell, make your face get all red and your veins pop out.

Do something.

I know Kubiak reacted in his own Kubiak way, but maybe that’s a bigger issue. Kubiak has spent the past week addressing the media assuring everyone they are working HARD to avoid those mistakes, and you come out of those dirty San Franciscan gates and do the exact same thing. And then you smile?

This is how the game started

And yes, there is a large part of me that feels for Schaub. Houston is being brutal to the guy, and it goes well beyond the field and burning jerseys. They have now resorted to blasting his family about his play (as if that has anything to do with it). A friend of mine was sitting next to Schaub’s mom at the San Fran game and she cried the second he threw that pick-six. She knows how hard this is on her son. She knows the mental demons he was dealing with prior to that fateful throw are only going to get worse. She knows his career is in jeopardy.

At least she had a reaction, unlike Kubiak.

Another reaction after that pass? Andre Johnson.

Again, I don’t know what y’all saw on TV or to what extent the commentators were privy to the situation, but my seats were right there – first row, DIRECTLY behind the Texans bench. Number 80 was not a happy camper and he wasn’t afraid to show it. I don’t think he could even control it. He actually got in the face of WR Coach, Larry Kirksey, and honestly, it looked like he was going to fight him. I couldn’t catch it on video, but the crowd saw it and started chanting Andre, taunting him. I thought the entire Texans sideline was going to explode, some with tears, and some with anger and punches and foul language. And I wouldn’t have blamed a single one of them. This has been a hard few weeks for ALL of those guys.

After quite a few choice words, yelling and throwing things, Andre looked for a moment like he was going to take his jersey off, saying “I’m done.” It was a heated moment, the most heated I’ve ever seen from the Texans. The entire team was shocked. Again, at least he was reacting. Duane Brown and Wade Smith, two of my favorites, out there each and every offensive play trying to protect Schaub, and they clearly weren’t impressed coming off the field after that pick-six. They were reacting.

But you know who wasn’t reacting (aside from Kubiak)? Arian Foster.

Let me reiterate, I’m not an NFL player (duh), but I did play sports growing up. Hecklers get to you and turnovers change the tone of the game, quickly. But my coach would never let me take my eyes off the field and respond to hecklers in the stands. A few seats over sat six of the most obnoxious fans to ever wear a 49ers jersey, and they were giving it to Arian.

One guy, holding up his cell phone yelled “Hey Arian, I just dropped you on my fantasy team.”

Another guy, “Arian you suck!” in a loud and squeaky, yet to hit puberty, or maybe it was drunk, voice.

Before the Texans were even out of the game, Arian was responding back. His eyes were on the hecklers, not the game. His first response to those guys: “I’m rich” with a Johnny Manziel kind of hand motion.

This is how the game ended.

Yeah Foster, you are rich. From that game your back is turned to and has been turned to the entire game – that’s what made you rich. You worked hard for it, but it ain’t over. You got (and earned) that big contract, but it’s not quitting time buddy. It’s Week 5. The other 52 guys are at least watching the game in front of them, but not you.

Then, probably the most annoyed I’ve ever been at a player on the team I’m rooting for, Arian walks over to the side, grabs a sharpie, signs his gloves (which didn’t get much action that night) and handed them to the heckler.

Now I’m not sure what the gloves said – if it was a message saying, “I’m rich,” or some other actual message to the hater, I’m down and can respect that. But just a few seats over were at least five of the most crazed Texans fans that traveled to San Fran to support these guys, and they do it almost every week. Even during trying times, they are still cheering and trying to pick our boys up. But Arian didn’t ONCE look their direction. I’m not sure he made eye contact with a single Texans fan during the entire game, but those San Fran jackoffs got his attention, for at least an entire quarter.

Which is probably what prompted what happened at the end of the third quarter after another one of Schaub’s completed passes to the other team (I’m going to start calling it that instead of an interception…), two Texans fans took off their shirts, AND THREW THEM AT THE TEXANS PLAYERS ON THE SIDELINE. (Then the dumbasses had to leave the stadium shirtless, and I’m not sure they thought that part through fully.)

Texans fans, I get it. Watching that in person, on TV, on a mobile app, whatever, it wasn’t pretty. But to disrespect your own team and those players that are working hard is embarrassing to the real fans. And to an entire city.

For those who traveled and spent all that money, what a bum note to go out on. But here’s the positive: there’s no place like home. After visiting the decrepit and dirty Candlestick Park, I know I’m ready to kiss Reliant’s grass and hug every real Texan fan in the stadium.

Next up is St. Louis. We got this. There’s no way this team can lose four straight, right?

Let’s talk Texans, Schaub, Kubiak, heckling fans, whatever else you want on The Blonde Side’s FB page.

This blog post is part of The Blonde Side’s Bud Light Series. Be sure to LIKE Bud Light Houston on FB to keep up with all the fun things in Houston, here we go!

October 8, 2013/by Jayme

Texans Fans = Needy Girlfriends

Football

Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans.

The Houston Texans are good at quite a few things, one of which is staying relatively off the radar. There isn’t a ton of news going on in Houston’s offseason, the drama is fairly minimal (especially when paired next to Tom Brady’s team), and the stars shine just quite enough to get sufficient, but not overwhelming attention.

Training camp is the hottest in the league, but the guys are there to work hard, that’s it. But a quiet offseason leaves room for a lot of unanswered questions by the fans and the rest of the NFL.

Texans fans are now needy girlfriends when it comes to their beloved team. They’ve won the division title two straight years – it’s time to up the ante and get that engagement ring (also known as a trip to MetLife Stadium in February).

This football season has been dubbed by virtually everyone as the all-or-nothing season for the Texans. It’s like taking your girlfriend on a romantic vacation to Bora Bora – you better end that vacation on one knee and be ready to take your relationship to the next level.

Do or die. Marry me or I freak out. Super Bowl or bust.

Crazed Texans fans are ready for a ring (photo via Chron.com)

For the Texans to get on that bended knee (aka get to the Super Bowl for those not following my ongoing analogies), there are a few things we must settle:

1. The Secondary. The Texans are slated to take on a ton of elite QBs this year – Manning, now in his second and stronger season after neck surgery, the always impressive Brady, Andrew Luck who is no longer a rookie, not to mention other new big names like Russell Wilson and the hot-bodied Colin Kapernick.

Last season the Texans were just 16^th against the pass giving up an average of 225.8 yards/game. That’s right in the middle of the pack, neither great, nor bad.

If you dated a girl that was just average, does that scream engagement ring to you? I think not…

Is Ed Reed’s hip OK to play?

2. Injuries. I hate talking about them, but they’re a big deal for any team. Star safety Ed Reed is still battling his hip injury (which he blames Tom Brady for), Foster isn’t currently taking reps, the status on Posey remains unknown and others are popping up.

“That’s part of football, so we’ll get them healthy and get them back out here,” Kubiak said after practice Wednesday afternoon.

Can the rest of this team stay healthy? This is single-handedly one of the most annoying things sports media folks talk about incessantly, and here I am talking about it. Awesome.

With 52 guys on a roster, and 300+lb men slamming their hard bodies into other 300+lb men, it’s inevitable injuries are going to happen. A lot. When guys are bobbing and weaving at unfathomable speeds and jumping over bodies, helmets, and cleats, odds are, someone’s going to get hurt. Probably a lot of someone’s, unfortunately.

3. Along with injuries come detailed conversations of the depth chart – that’s a big concern for Houston – do we have the depth to take over when our starters find themselves in the locker room getting looked at by medical personnel?

In relationships, backups and second strings aren’t looked at very fondly, but this is football and it’s all part of the game. (Seriously, never tell your girlfriend you have a backup though.)

4. Then comes the Schaub inquisition. Can he lead this all-star team the way they need to be led on the field? His numbers are fairly average, coming in 11^th with a passer rating of 90.7 and throwing for 4,008 yards last season.

Last season, Schaub tied for 15th in touchdown passes (22) while ranking sixth in completion percentage (64.3), throwing just 12 picks in 544 passes.

5. We all know Texas is a conservative state, but that doesn’t mean our football has to be. Nor should it be.

Conservative play-caller Gary Kubiak

Kubiak needs to move on from his conservative play calls, especially when it comes to 3^rd and long, where the Texans are tied for 31^st at converting to first downs.

For a more intense look at the Texans 3^rd and extra long play calls, take a look at this Ultimate Texans article.

It seems we may get some answers to quite a few of these nagging questions in Week 3 when the Texans take on the defending champions in Baltimore. Until then, it’s all speculation.

Make no mistake, this is a championship roster. More so than it’s ever been.

There’s just one thing missing from this relationship: an intimate postseason.

For those inquiring minds, Super Bowl odds for Houston are currently 14/1 according to the LVH Sports Book in Vegas.

Oh, and if the Texans do make the Super Bowl this year (which yours truly is in fact predicting), that would make them the first Texas football team to vie for the Tiffany & Co. Vince Lombardi trophy in 18 years.

August 28, 2013/by Jayme

HTC Tryout Tips

Cheerleading

HTC Cheerleader Tryout Tips

What it really takes to become an NFL cheerleader: Most Beautiful squad’s coach gives Texans tips

The big day is almost here. Houston Texans Cheerleader tryouts start Saturday.

You’ve detoxed, spray tanned, touched up those roots, whitened your smile and practiced your highest kicks — but there are still a few more things you can do to up your chances of making the beloved Texans’ cheerleader roster. It won’t be easy. The Texans were named the Most Beautiful Cheerleaders in the NFL after all.

Although registration is closed, odds are, you know one hot lady who needs some last minute tips.

I had the chance to chat with Alto Gary, the only cheer coach in the 10-year history of the Texans franchise, about last minute tips for cheerleader hopefuls. Coach Alto has a tough task ahead of her — choosing approximately 32 women out of the expected 1,000-plus who will strut their way into the Methodist Training Center for tryouts. Although she’ll have some help thanks in part to a few social media contests, Alto has the final say in who makes the squad.

It’s always taken a lot to be a Texans cheerleader, but if you yearn to be part of the squad that reps the back-to-back AFC South Champs — or just want to know what hurdles must be leaped — follow Alto’s expert cheerleader tips.

Don’t fret on wardrobe.

“You don’t have to spend a lot of money on an outfit for tryouts — you can buy a triangle top from Target or wherever. You can rhinestone it yourself if you want a little bling or leave it plain as long as it looks good on you. Also choose a good color for yourself. Add some black hotpants and you are set.”

Why not?

“There are many different positions we are looking for at tryouts. Not only cheerleaders, but we also look for the Grid Iron Gang (spirit promo group) and sometimes even select media game day hostesses. You have nothing to lose by coming — there’s something for everyone.”

HTC Cheerleader Tryout Poster

Leave the wardrobe malfunctions to Janet Jackson.

“Always make sure you stay in your outfit. Make sure you tie your knot on your top very tight and safety pins are your best friend! Support is always good. You can wear a convertible bra underneath your outfit. (You can find them at Victoria’s Secret, Target, Walmart, JCPenney . . .)”

Not all blondes are the same.

“What tryout number you get is important. When you get in line to get your number on the day of tryouts, make sure you’re not behind a person who looks like you. If she is a blonde and you are a blonde, try to find someone else to get behind who doesn’t look anything like you so you won’t be compared to the other blonde. That will get harder to do in the further rounds, but at least it will buy you some time.”

Beware of muffin top.

“Do not wear pantyhose that have the panty control top line. Make sure your pantyhose are sheer to waist.”

Good rule of thumb for life in general.

“Always be nice — you never know who’s looking at you. A few people have been cut before they even walk in the door.”

And if you need a last minute charge to get you going for Saturday’s tryouts, check out this video courtesy of the Houston Texans cheerleaders. Good luck to all and tweet your tryout photos to @CultureMap if you want the chance to be featured in a future story.

This article was featured on Culture Map, Houston’s Daily Digital Magazine in the sport’s section.

April 6, 2013/by Jayme

Owen Daniels

Football

Owen Daniels Plays Football and Loves House Music

Owen Daniels: For the Love of House Music

A funny thing happens when you tell a professional athlete that you’re willing to interview him about whatever he wants. Without pressure to talk about a recurring and nagging knee injury, a recent bad play Chris Berman probably called him out on repeatedly, or some negative slant the media is currently overanalyzing, what happens is pretty awesome: they usually loosen up and show a really fun side; sometimes an unexpected one.

That’s what happened when I sat down with Owen Daniels, tight end for the Houston Texans. The 6-foot-3 Naperville, IL native who rocked an awesome dirty blonde side-part and dressed head-to-toe in Jordan was given the green light to talk about whatever his heart desired. His 7-year tenure with the Texans, his recent engagement to a gorgeous Houston attorney, what his chances of a second Pro Bowl are, any riffs on the team, etc, but Daniels chose to gush about his love for house music.

To read this full story about Owen Daniels and his love for the beats and house music, click over to Man Cave Daily.

November 28, 2012/by Jayme

Tight End’s Guide to Houston

Football

Owen Daniels and fiance Angela Mecca (photo via Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com)

A hunky tight end’s guide to Houston: Owen Daniels reveals where he hangs and his secret hip-hop cred

he 10-1 Houston Texans are stronger than ever, tied for the best record in the entire NFL, and, for the first time in their 10-year franchise history, part of the overanalyzed talk of being one of the Super Bowl favorites. Houston, the city, is also on a high, having taken the No. 1 spot on the Forbes list of America’s Coolest Cities To Live not so long ago.

According to the Forbes’ article, “cool” was based off Merriam-Webster’s definition of “very good; fashionable.”

Tight end Owen Daniels, the guy many consider to be the most social Texan (with apologizes to Connor Barwin), feels that Houston most definitely fits that description. Daniels, one of the main weapons in the Texans offense with 47 catches for 555 yards and six touchdowns, says that even if his football career eventually takes him elsewhere, Houston is where he plans to continue to call home.

I sat down with the 6-foot-3, 249-pound, newly-engaged tight end, who was dressed in all Jordan, and asked about all this new hype for his team and his city and the stereotypes synonymous with Texas.

“I’ve always been a rap/hip hop guy . . . I’m from the mean streets of Naperville, Illinois.”

The 30-year-old Daniels, who has spent all seven seasons of his NFL career in Houston, admits the pickup stereotype is “so true.” “I swear there’s gotta be one pickup truck for every car that’s out there,” he says. “I don’t know anywhere outside of Texas you’ll see so many pickup trucks.”

The Chicago-area native quickly debunks one popular misconception though. “I don’t think Houston is as country as people think,” Daniels says. “It’s a big city so you get every walk of life here — it’s a great mix of people. It’s not all cowboys and big teased hair.”

When asked to describe Houston in one word, Daniels claims he does not have a “great vocabulary” but chooses “sprawling.” “Even as big as our city is, it’s always growing and so spread out,” he continues.

Tight End, Owen Daniels (photo via Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com)

This is one professional athlete who actually really knows the city he plays in. Here is Owen Daniels’ Visitors Guide to Houston:

Where to stay: Hotel ZaZa

Best Place to Shop: I don’t love shopping, but my girlfriend goes to Tootsies for dresses. I don’t mind the Galleria as long as I have some direction and know what I’m going for. I need to have a plan. I can’t just walk aimlessly through that massive place.

Texas Meal Must: Barbecue, Steak or Mexican? They gotta go barbecue. I like Mexican food, but don’t crave it like I do barbecue.

Best Barbecue: Goode Company next to Armadillo — it’s the most consistent.

Best Mexican: El Tiempo on Richmond — they’re all OK, but that’s the best one.

Best Steakhouse: No doubt, Del Frisco’s is my favorite spot to eat. Arthur (Mooradian), the GM there is amazing. I always get a filet, medium. You gotta go with the mac and cheese too — it’s a jalapeno mac and cheese with bacon in it — it’s so good!

Best Brunch: Empire Cafe

Best Sports Venue: Obviously Reliant Stadium. The atmosphere is crazy and we have the No. 1 fans.

Best Opponent to see at Reliant: Any divisional game

Best Bar/Spot for a Celebration: If you want to go all out, go to Roak on a Saturday night. Good people watching and a pretty good atmosphere.

Best Part of Town: I don’t think the Montrose area gets talked about enough. I think they’ve got great places to eat and cool bars.

Best Place for a Cocktail: Anvil is a good place to grab a cocktail if you’re looking for something other than beer or vodka.

Best Local Beer: Love me some St. Arnolds!

Best Date Spot: I love dinner at Mark’s.

Best Radio Station: The Box (97.9). That’s the best morning show that Houston has to offer. Rod Ryan (from The Buzz) emcees my charity events, so I like him a lot too.

Fave Musician from Houston: I’m kind of embarrassed I don’t know who all is from Houston, but I know a lot of good music comes from here. I guess I’d go with Bun B — I’m on this house kick lately. I’ve always been a rap/hip hop guy . . . I’m from the mean streets of Naperville, Illinois.

Best Music Venue: I think House of Blues is cool because it’s always intimate but my favorite shows I’ve seen have been big concerts at the Toyota Center. I went to (Lady) Gaga there and it was awesome! I went to Watch the Throne tour too — that was probably the sickest show I’ve been too.

Best Local Charity: Owen Daniels’ Catching Dreams Foundation of course! We try to help critically and chronically ill children in Houston and their families. I think what makes us unique is that we not only focus on and support the patient, but their siblings and families as well.

We have “Owen’s Locker” on the 10th floor at Texas Children’s with tons of entertainment like radios, DVD players, PSPs and other stuff to help entertain them while they are there.

Daniels has already secured his spot in franchise history becoming only the second Texan (behind Andre Johnson, who has 10,714 yards and counting) to reach 4,000 receiving yards in his career.

“I think he’s physically the best he’s been,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak has said of Daniels’ season.

Presumably that has something to do with putting forth 110 percent effort on the field and knowing all the best spots in Houston to refuel.

This article was featured on Culture Map, Houston’s Daily Digital Magazine in the sport’s section.

November 27, 2012/by Jayme

Bear Down

Football

The Blonde Side t-shirts in Chicago

CHICAGO — Being at Soldier Field on Veteran’s Day. Let that sink in for a minute.

Regardless of the outcome of the game between the Houston Texans and the Chicago Bears on Sunday night, all 62,410 fans in attendance, whether wearing navy and red or navy and orange, cheered for the country’s servicemen and women. Walking into the stadium, on all sides, fans were met with a simple but powerful message and reminder:

SOLIDER FIELD

Dedicated To The Men And Women Of The Armed Services

Flying out of Houston Hobby Friday morning, the airport was packed with enthusiastic Texans fans. If there’s one thing for sure about this Houston Texans team, fans travel well. And the team is good. Really good.

If there’s one thing for sure about this Houston Texans team, fans travel well. And the team is good. Really good.

Barret and Desiree Ortega were sporting their custom-made Texans T-shirts. The front read: “Howdy. ‘Chicago Blows’” with a Texans logo in place of the “o”.

The back read: “Dang auto correct – ‘Windy City.’”

The duo agreed it was a mutual creative idea; Desiree made the shirts, but Barret came up with the quote.

“We go to an away game every year but this one has to do with Veteran’s Day. He’s [Barret] in the Marine Corp and Solider Field has got to be one of the coolest places to spend this special day. Being from Houston, we wanted to go where it’s cold and we’ve been season tickets holders since Day one,” Desiree said holding her husband’s hand.

“Make sure you tell people we’re here proudly representing the Yellow Lot,” Barret added, referring to a popular tailgating spot near Reliant Stadium.

Barret and Desiree Ortega show off their sweatshirts before heading to Chicago

Mass appeal

Based on my trip to Denver back in September, I knew that Texans fans travel in masses. Eight home games clearly isn’t enough for some fans and while the team takes their show on the road, fans tag along for the fun. And the bragging rights being in the midst of all the gridiron action.

I began to wonder – are all these Texans fans BFFs (and why wasn’t I cordially invited?) or is there some underground fandom even I’m not aware of? And then I ran across a Facebook post from the ever-so-awesome Stephanie Stradley and the pieces started to fit together.

Stradley is a fan blogger (she goes by TexansChick) and at least for this Chicago game, drafted an “unofficial” Texans itinerary for the thousands venturing into the Windy City. To ensure the “travel in packs” mentality was in full effect all weekend, Stradley, with the help of some serious fans, itemized a traveling fans dream checklist.

To ensure the “travel in packs” mentality was in full effect all weekend, Stradley, with the help of some serious fans, itemized a traveling fans dream checklist.

She fully detailed what color to wear to the game (Battle Red), what bars fans would be at on Saturday night (including drink specials a link to the bar and address), where to meet if you want to partake in the group picture, and a simple yet friendly reminder that “the line between enthusiasm and obnoxious can be very thin.”

Her goal was to make sure Texans fans showed up strong and, more importantly, had a great time and respected the Bears fans in their house.

Texans fans at Soldier Field

Thanks to unrivaled tailgating and bloggers like Stradley, Texans fans have been bonding over beers and tough seasons for a full decade. Now, they finally have something to cheer about. The teams have only met two times prior to this season, so it was a no-brainer that Chicago would be a big game. A primetime battle of two talked about defenses, a great city and an even greater team – one finally worth traveling for.

I ran into Mike Stephens at the Pony sports bar Saturday for a huge A&M watch party. Mike flew into town with seven of his friends for Sunday’s big game.

“I am here with friends that I’ve known for 30 years, and because this will be the best game of the year. Two 7-1 teams. Outstanding. Great football, great friends, great city,” he said.

Too cool

Inside Soldier Field, the crowds were loud and bundled up. With pouring rain and temperatures in the 40’s, most Texans fans were covered head-to-toe in warm gear, a poncho (or trash bag) and multiple Texans branded apparel items. But there was one Texan who wasn’t afraid to show a little skin. In the first quarter, a Southern little blonde sporting a Texans midriff and unseasonably tan skin, flexed her muscles for the Jumbotron, getting fans riled up.

Just before heading into the raining tailgating festivities, I ran into Monica Rojas, another Houston fan. “Watt Ya Know About Them H-Town Peeps?” she kept saying to all the opposing fans, including the ESPN radio guys broadcasting live inside Jimmy Greens.

“Can’t wait to get home to Houston and thaw out. My draws are frozen and my fingers and toes are numb, but winning in Chicago’s house and celebrating with my fellow Texans fans was the greatest. 8-1! #bullsonparade.”

“We’re here trying to show Chicago how us Texans fans roll. We have family that lives here but we love and support our Texans – home and away. We are predicting the Texans are 8-1 after tonight baby!” Rojas said.

And she was right. Both teams entered Sunday nights’ game, the one many referred to as a preview for Super Bowl XLVII, at 7-1, but only one team left 8-1. The Texans, still the team to beat across the league, continue to be undefeated against Brian Urlacher and the Chicago Bears (with an all-time record of 3-0).

Looking at the front row of the lower bowl, I’m a TEXAN, WE ARE TEXANS, and other Texan-logo flags were strategically placed for all the viewers at home to see. Texans are proud.

A Texans fan on a mission, Patrick Reyes marks Chicago as just another stop on the away schedule.

“The game was ugly but I don’t think I could have had a more appropriate Chicago experience. The weather, the fans and a defensive battle. Great win for our Texans. As long as we win, I don’t care how we play. Next stop for me, New England on December 10th,” said Reyes who plans to utilize Stradley’s helpful tips along each stop.

Another avid fan and season ticket holder, Justin Capetillo, managed to type out a Facebook message even with frozen fingers after the big win. “Can’t wait to get home to Houston and thaw out. My draws are frozen and my fingers and toes are numb, but winning in Chicago’s house and celebrating with my fellow Texans fans was the greatest. 8-1! #bullsonparade.”

Ty and Sharon Coburn are celebrating more than just a franchise record-setting team.

“We are here celebrating our anniversary and it’s funny because it’s the Texans 10-year anniversary and it’s also our 10-year anniversary. Last night’s win was priceless. The win just completed our amazing weekend. I was wet from head to toe and Ty kept telling me ‘hang in there darling’ – it’ll all be worth it. It was amazing. We were sitting around some really grouchy Bears fans, but we had a great time,” said Sharon Coburn.

“Last night’s victory validated who we are – we are THE team,” said Ty.

I’m sure every other Texans fan, whether in Chicago, Houston or elsewhere agrees with Ty’s sentiments.

This article was featured on Culture Map, Houston’s Daily Digital Magazine in the sport’s section.

November 12, 2012/by Jayme