Those Were the Days

Today is the first Saturday in September. Traditionally, it is National Tailgate Saturday. This year, what few sporting events that there are in American have banned spectators. No spectators means no pre-game parking lot extravaganzas. And even if tailgating were permitted, there are other problems that might not be so easy to overcome.

Tailgating implies there’s something to watch – be it as a spectator in the stands or watching the game broadcast live. Tailgating requires real games with real competition, and that’s just not happening. Guess we could break out some vintage footage of the first ever televised College Game. That would be the match up between the Waynesburg Yellow Jackets and Fordham Rams. The game was played in New York City on September 30, 1939. And for the record, Rams won. Hum, wonder who was watching? Television wasn’t commonplace in the homes of most Americans in 1939. NBC broadcast the game, and depending upon who you listen to, anywhere from 500 to 5,000 people saw the game.

So while there might not tailgating parties right now, we can celebrate the spirit of Tailgating in our hearts, right? Today is also National Cheese Pizza Day. So let’s start with a the pizza and have a little fun, shall we?

Pepperoni Football Cheese Pizza
1 Frozen Thin-Crust Cheese Pizza
1 cup Mozzarella Cheese
4 oz Mini Pepperoni
1 slice White Cheese

Arrange oven rack in the center of the oven, about 6 inches from the bottom. Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Remove all wrapping from the pizza. Spread Mozzarella Cheese over the top of the existing cheese. Arrange pepperoni slices on top of cheese, overlapping, to create a football.

Cut cheese slice into strips to form the laces of the football. Arrange down the center of the pepperoni slices.

Place pizza directly on the rack, bake for 18 minutes or until cheese is melted, the pepperoni beginning to crisp and the edges are golden brown.

Remove from oven, let cool 5 minutes. Slice and serve.