NFL Athletes’ Favorite Tailgating Recipes

The countdown to football season has officially begun. But before you watch your favorite athletes toss a pigskin, get ready to tailgate with their favorite Latin recipes. Since hamburgers and hotdogs are too boring for NFL’s Mark Sanchez, Evan Rodriguez, and Tony Gonzalez, check out what they would serve instead.

Mark Sanchez, Philadelphia Eagles

This fall, Mark Sanchez begins his first season on Philadelphia turf. The new quarterback for the Eagles maintains a healthy regiment throughout the season, but allows some of his favorite Mexican foods to sneak into the mix. “I love chicken enchiladas with red ranchera sauce and chorizo con huevo y papas burritos,” said the California native.

For a Mexican themed tailgating party, throw some tortillas on the grill in honor of Sanchez. “Another favorite of mine is carne asada street style tacos with corn tortillas and all the fixings!” he said.

Next, what Tony Gonzalez and Evan Rodriguez crave… [pagebreak]

Evan Rodriguez, Buffalo Bills

Evan Rodriguez may only be 25 but the fullback and tight end for the Buffalo Bills is making his mark in the NFL. Extremely proud of his Puerto Rican heritage, Rodriguez enjoys cuisine from his culture year round.

“During football games, Easter and Christmas, I love to eat Latin dishes,” said Rodriguez. “What I like, and to me what is truly Puerto Rican, is arroz y habichuelas and pollo frito.”

Rodriguez also enjoys pasteles and empanadas, an easy dish to tailgate that may make you late for the game. Out of beer? Whip up a batch of Rodriguez’s favorite cocktail, Coquito Bueno.

“I love to make Coquito Bueno with my mom at home,” he said. “There really is nothing like Latin food.”

Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons

Tony Gonzalez is football royalty. The recently retired tight end for the Atlanta Falcons is very passionate about three things: football, his family, and his Latin heritage. Gonzalez has just signed on to be a studio analyst for The NFL Today, but he still makes time for the kitchen.

“I love to cook all the time, especially Mexican and Cuban food,” said Gonzalez, who is part Cuban. “I make a good Chile Colorado sauce. Sometimes I use pork, sometimes without meat, and I add onions, chiles, garlic, and tomatillos,” said Gonzalez, who bakes all of his veggies first with olive oil, salt and pepper, then tosses them in his Vitamix.

Every Sunday, Gonzalez and his family get together for a themed dinner. “During the World Cup when Germany was playing Argentina, we did food from those two countries," Gonzalez said. "Everyone comes on Sunday – my mom, my brothers, cousins, friends. We all get together to cook, drink and just hang out.”

While he may not have a favorite food, Gonzalez enjoys Italian, Jamaican, and sushi in addition to his Mexican and Cuban staples. And when he isn’t busy working, Gonzalez would love to tailgate outside a game.

“I would cook dishes before we even get there, do all the prep the night before,” said Gonzalez. “To me, plantains are easy to make and you can throw them right on the grill for a sweet little snack.”

If it were his party, Gonzalez would make a Cuban avocado salad with yucca, pork, or churrasco, some healthy greens, and homemade garlic sauce. “I think a Cuban salad is a great tailgating dish because you get everything in there,” he said.