I know that many of you who see the title above are probably wondering when I started playing professional football.  Actually, I will be a mere spectator, one of over 100,000 fans at Cowboys Stadium tonight when they host the Eagles.

If you've read my blog regularly, you probably know by now that I am a big-time Cowboys fan, and I was indoctrinated (as it were) by my mom when I was still a toddler.  I was born and raised in Dallas, so it's pretty much mandated by law there. 

At any rate, I'm happy to be attending my first "live" NFL game in 25 years.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Although I very rarely miss watching a game, it's usually from the comfort of my own home.  The last time I went to a game was with my mom in 1984 - I was 14 years old.  Today, I'm taking a road trip with two of my best friends to watch the very first playoff game in the new stadium.  Regardless of the outcome, I can say I was there for this piece of history, right?

I only wish that they could have ordered up some warmer weather, since the current temperature in Arlington, Texas is a brisk 28 degrees and it's expected to get down to 16 degrees tonight.  Based on what I saw from the parking, my guess is that we'll be walking about a mile each way to the stadium (which, thankfully, is enclosed). 

Needless to say, I'll be wearing layers.  I'll also be wearing the authentic NFL Aikman jersey that my wife got me for Christmas.  I've worn it for the past two games, and the Cowboys managed to shut out back-to-back opponents for the first time in their storied history (almost 50 years!).  That being said, I think a third shutout would be too much to ask, but I am hoping and praying for a victory.  As a lifelong fan, it's been painful to watch them disintegrate every year in December since 1996, when they last won an actual playoff game.  In fact, it may please those of you who aren't Cowboy fans to hear that 13 of the 16 NFC teams have a playoff victory since the Cowboys' last one.

I don't like to make predictions, or to participate in any pre-game trash talk, but I am hoping for a victory, even if it happens in overtime, or if they squeak it out by one point.  However, I do kinda hope they wrap it up before overtime, since we're driving back home for about 3 hours after the game, and I'm already anticipating getting home around 2am.

Have a great weekend - I'm sure I will be acting like an obnoxious, rabid fan tonight, even if it is in the nosebleed section.  Based on our tickets, I'm especially thankful to Jerry Jones for installing the world's largest HDTV screen at the stadium.  :-)