Enjoying The Tailgate Parties

In the 2024 season, the Dolphins were 5-3 at home at Hard Rock Stadium, but the first four home games defined the eventual outcome.

Let’s consider a typical tailgate party at a Miami Dolphins home game.

First, everyone arrives early, typically very early, not only for the game but to enjoy socializing before entering the venue and taking their seats.

This socializing lasts for a while and is marked by loud laughter and a disregard for time.

The pre-game festivities at a Miami Dolphins home game, especially in 2024 and early in the season, became one of the primary reasons for attending a Dolphins game.

The tailgate lasts into the beginning of the first quarter, with fans arriving late for the opening kickoff.

After the opening win against the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-17, won only by the strip fumble of Jaguars running back Travis Etienne by former Dolphins safety Jevon Holland , there was hope in “Mudville” as the dreaded Buffalo Bills came into town the following week.

Here comes our beloved Miami Dolphins team, taking on the Buffalo Bills on September 12, 2024.

The tailgate parties that occurred before the game lifted the spirits of the attending fans to new heights.

The fans looked forward to Tua Tagovailoa, our version of “Casey.”

Casey is the fifth batter at the bottom of the last inning, and with two outs, there are runners on second and third base in scoring position.

Casey is so confident that he takes the first two pitches, both of which are strikes.

Then, as the story unfolds and the town of Mudville mourns, the mighty Casey strikes out.

And the Dolphins struck out also.

After the 31-10 loss and Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion, the next few home games mirrored the sentiments at the tailgate. The best part is the pre-game socializing.

The following two home games also resulted in losses, a 31-12 drumming by the Tennessee Titans and a heartbreaking 28-27 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Miami Dolphins fans accepted that the pre-game tailgating activities were the most enjoyable part of the game.

Yet now, as the off-season continues, we look forward to the first home game of the 2025 season, anticipating the tailgate parties once again.