If you’re reading this right now, then you survived the awkward Thanksgiving dinner conversations with your drunk uncle and the violent angry mobs at Walmart on Black Friday, so congratulations!  You made it! 

Oh yeah, and shout out to Chick-Fila for this great idea!   

Classy move but lets change topics quickly since I’m now craving chicken nuggets and waffle fries…

Anyway, welcome back to #DoubleFML FatDarrellPalooza!  I hope you all had a great holiday weekend.

I avoided shopping in person until Monday after the crowds died down a bit, but I did manage to find a lot of unique Christmas presents online.  Amazon had some great deals!  (check them out for yourself via our affiliate page by clicking here!  You still get the same great low prices, we just earn a small commission for referrals so thanks for your support!) 

If I could just manage to stop buying presents for myself too, I’d be way under budget.  This “one for you, one for me” game is starting to get expensive!

I wish I had found this incredible Pac-man shirt before Thanksgiving though!

Next year I suppose…

I am proud to say I’m halfway through my list already though! 

For some reason, I’m feeling festive much earlier than usual.  Who knows, I may even put up my tree this year!

Since I rarely have guests, that’s my yearly debate.  To tree or not to tree.  That’s the question.  Hmm…

Aside from food deliveries and the maintenance crew at my apartment complex, nobody’s really going to notice if I decorate though, so why bother?  We’ll see…  

Anyway, how many of you recognized the music group and song reference in the title?! 

Ha, Cameo’s “Word Up” is a classic!  Their song “Candy” is too! 

Don’t worry if you’re lost right now, that probably means you have pain free joints and a full head of hair so yeah, congrats youngster.

Either way, aside from creative wordplay, the old school funk band Cameo has nothing to do with this post.

Instead, I’ll be sharing footage from several recent sports broadcasts where you may have spotted me in the background if you have a keen eye. 

Again, these are cameos so by no means am I the star of these clips.  You’ll have to carefully scan the background to spot me like a real-world version of Where’s Waldo. 

Of course, in “Where’s Waldo”, you’re looking for a tall skinny white guy with glasses and a scarf.  In “Where’s Darrell”, you’ll be looking for a short stocky black guy with a beard and deep-rooted trust issues. 

Anyway, let’s play!

Okay, the first broadcast I appeared on last week was during the pregame show before The Atlanta Hawks took on The Toronto Raptors on Fox Sports South. 

For those who don’t know already, I’m on The Atlanta Hawks Flight Crew Experience Team so I’m one of the people who hypes the crowd at events.

The game took place last Wednesday, so many of us wore crazy Thanksgiving themed hats (although in my world, every day is a great day for crazy hats and tees!).

Before I present the video, here are a few photos of me posing with various props we used that night so you have an idea what you’re looking for:

Before each game, we lead a parade around the concourse with other members of the entertainment roster.  In this clip, we were joined by several cheerleaders as we randomly passed the booth where they were filming the pre-show!

With that said, here’s the clip.  Where’s Darrell?  (Hint:  look for the dancing turkey…)    

How did you do?  Did you spot me?  I had no idea I was on camera!  I’m glad I didn’t do anything embarrassing!  Well, aside from awkward dance moves and wearing a rotisserie turkey on my head that is…

I still think my manager should have let me keep the hat but whatever, thanks for nothing Brett!

Anyway, moving on to Friday’s game as The Hawks took on The Boston Celtics.

Before we get to my cameo, look who else dropped by!

Yes, Cardi B and Offset were in the building!

At one point, I was running a contest in the stands near their seats, so they walked right past where I was standing!

We’re not supposed to take many pictures while we’re working though so I didn’t bother them for one.

2Chainz was also seated near them but I didn’t notice him or anyone else for a several minutes after making eye contact with Cardi, since the world went silent for a moment as butterflies filled my stomach and heart emojis filled my eyes.

Anyway, um, where was I?  Oh yeah, in the next clip, we were leading the concourse parade again.  This time we were joined by the drumline, so they were the focus of the clip but if you look quickly, you may spot me in front of them.

There’s no turkey hat to give me away this time, but I am wearing the same bright shirt and gray pants.  With that said, “Where’s Darrell?”…

I know, that one was much harder.  How did you do?

The Hawks also played The Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, but I had to miss that one since I was also scheduled to work my other gig as a Live Events Associate for Mercedes Benz Stadium.

They wouldn’t normally run events at both venues at the same time, however Atlanta United qualified for Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Eastern Conference Semifinals so this match was added to their schedule.

Their opponent?  The NY Red Bulls who were the only other MLS team I’d ever seen play in person!

Back in 2011, I was provided with a private tour of the stadium and a suite to attend a game as part of discussions to possibly ad The ®Fat Darrell Sandwich to the menu at Red Bull Arena.

I wish I’d taken more photos of their beautiful stadium, but here are a few I took during the game.

You may also recognize this scarf from the “I’m going back to Jersey” post from last year.

I must confess, I haven’t watched many MLS matches since then.  I enjoy the larger international tournaments like The World Cup and The Olympics, but I’ve admittedly slept on our American league.

Since The Red Bulls were the first MLS team I saw play live and I’ve visited Toronto and Philadelphia’s stadiums during my travels, those 3 clubs were always in the running for possible favorites if I ever truly started following the league. 

However, after Sunday’s event, I am proud to formally announce my devoted fandom to Atlanta United from here forward! 

That was one of the most exciting sporting events I’ve ever been to!  From the players to the crowd to the atmosphere, I now see what the hype is about!

Before we play “Where’s Darrell,” here are a few pictures from in and around the stadium:

Oh and check out the cushy seats the players sit on during games!

Come on, you knew I wasn’t going to leave without testing one out!

As for my responsibilities during the game?

Well, I was first assigned to work the red carpet for the signing on that giant spike you may have noticed in a few of the photos. 

Each player autographs The Golden Spike, followed by the fans.  From there, it’s led through the crowd to an ambassador who hammers it home during a formal pregame ceremony.

This game, the celebrity ambassador was Atlanta hip-hop legend Big Boi from the group Outkast!

After those duties, I had to assist with getting the giant inflatable tunnel off the field once The National Anthem was over.  We only had 60 seconds to get everything off the field so my main goal was to not trip and fall!  I’d love to go viral someday, but not for accidentally landing on my face!

The rest of the game, I was a Photo Marshall which sounds like a step above hall monitor but unfortunately I wasn’t provided a cool sash.

Basically, I was just assigned to monitor the media crews at one of the 4 corners of the stadium.  So yes, I was literally on the field the entire match, so the next video will have 7 or 8 clips from the ESPN broadcast.  I’m in each one, but finding me could be trickier this time!

To assist in your “Where’s Darrell” search, here is the outfit I was wearing:

Once you figure out my general location, it’ll become easier to find me in the other clips but see if you can find me again!  Here goes… 

How did you do?  Did you spot them all?

I’m just glad I also didn’t get hit in the face with a soccer ball standing that close to the action!  Players were literally warming up beside me.

That was a great time though!  Hopefully they win on Thursday.  If so, they’ll be back for the finals on December 8^th.  Go United!

So, if you watched that entire soccer clip, you may have noticed players warming up before they entered the game.  That’s not just for professional athletes though!  If you’re not warming up before working out or even doing heavy lifting around the house during chores, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable for possible injuries.  Even if it seems boring or “extra” do it anyway!  Better safe then sorry, right?  Besides, your injury moving the couch in your apartment doesn’t sound nearly as cool as pulling a hamstring in a soccer championship match!  So if it’s smart for the pros, it’s smart for you too!

Do you have a fitness question, goal or accomplishment you’d like to share?  Tell us in the comments below!

And on the opposite end of the fitness spectrum, let’s talk about these Hot Cocoa Grands Cinnamon Rolls from Pillsbury for a minute!

They’re a limited time offering that I’ve been waiting to try but could never find them in stock….until now!

No need to go over nutrition stats for these.  They’re unhealthy, so they should only be consumed in moderation on a cheat day. 

With that said, whoa…they’re incredible!

The description is perfect.  It’s a cinnamon roll with chocolate swirls. 

Since I’m the captain of #greedygang I added ice cream which almost made me feel the same way I did when Cardi B walked by.  Absolutely delicious!

Each container contains 5 large rolls.  You simply place them in a greased pan for 23-29 minutes and apply icing as desired.

Again, they’re only making a cameo in stores so get them before they’re gone!

Do you have another food item, restaurant or recipe we should all try?  Tell us in the comments below!  Also join our Facebook Foodie Group, Phenomnomnomenal, by clicking here!

Since I already have to do an extra workout tomorrow to make up for that cinnamon roll, I think I’ll have another.  Hey, go big or go home right!  With that said, let’s wrap this up.  Cue the music!

Today’s Soundtrack

Word Up – Cameo

Candy – Cameo

She Bad – Cardi B ft. YG

Down – Offset ft. Big Sean

Chocolate – Big Boi

Roll the Bass – Major Lazer

Do you have another song that fits today’s themes or that’s just so great we should check it out anyway?  Tell us in the comments below!

Before we head out, long time readers should know that weird ice cream man is back.
It’s literally 30-something degrees outside right now and this is the current situation:

I can’t imagine anyone is buying rocket pops in November, but I respect his hustle. If he was smart he’d sell hot chocolate…or these cocoa cinnamon buns!

Anyway, here are your upcoming “foodie holidays” that occur between this and next post:

Rice cakes with lemon crème pie on the same day?  Hmm, strange blend this week but okay, sure.

Anyway, that about does it for this week.  Before you go, please leave a comment below! You can also follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and more by clicking the logos on the main menu!

Okay folks, thanks again for stopping by. Let’s make it a great week people!

Until next time my friends, May the Fork be With You…

-Darrell

ps.  Did you know that racecar spelled backwards is racecar?  You’re welcome.