Hey Dallas!

Did you know that you have a winning team just minutes from your doorstep? Did you know that history is in the making every weekend just up the road? Did you know that you have a state-of-the-art stadium with first-rate amenities and family fun all with an affordable price tag? Well, you do ... and your SMU Mustangs are waiting.

Dallas is a sports town. Cowboys, Rangers, Mavericks, Stars, FC Dallas and last but not least the Mustangs. While two of the biggest teams have decided to take up residence outside of our city limits, the SMU Mustangs are happy to call Dallas home.

Allan Adami said Zach Line is worth watching in part because he would rather run over defenders than run around them (photo by Travis Johnston).

Who else calls Dallas home? About 1.2 million people. Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest city in the U.S. Dallasites pride themselves on being winners and spare no expense in showing their pride (i.e. Cowboys, Rangers and Mavericks shirts, stickers and flags everywhere you turn.) Dallas is a sports town and it is time for SMU to join the party.

Now, I know that SMU has given plenty of people in Dallas reason to forego a trip to the Hilltop. But as we’ve heard ad nauseam, those days are over … and soon, we won’t have to hear “since the Death Penalty” anymore, because winning and setting records will become the norm.

SMU is putting a product worthy of praise from the lifetime fans and bandwagoners alike; we just have to let Dallas know that we are here and ready to carry the torch.

Let’s take a minute to highlight what SMU has to offer. Proximity, affordability, the Boulevard, great football and players whose names are sure to become commonplace on playgrounds everywhere.

Proximity: Ford Stadium sits just minutes from downtown Dallas, Mesquite, Garland, Richardson, Addison, Farmers Branch, Irving, Cockrell Hill and Duncanville. Inside that loop lies the Dallas Independent School District — the 12th-largest school system in the U.S. That is more than enough people to fill the stands without being forced to drive west to Arlington, fighting traffic, parking and all the headaches that go along with a trip to Cowboys Stadium.

Affordability: Parking is FREE. Fans don’t have to pay $20 parking fees that other stadiums charge. Simply park in the DART parking lot and ride a free shuttle or find a quiet side street in Highland Park for a short stroll to the game. Tickets are cheap. A family of four can walk in the gate for a total of $75 or less. That beats the single-game ticket price of $75 per person for a Cowboys game. Snacks and drinks are also considerably less.

Entertainment: The Boulevard offers food, fun and an atmosphere you can’t find anywhere else. SMU fans are more than happy to share their tents and wares with anyone with a pony on their shirt. Take in all the elaborate tailgating tents or be content in people-watching. Boulevard attire ranges from pearls to t-shirts (I’m the latter). Whatever you wear, be assured that everyone on the Boulevard will be happy to see you. Inside the stadium, get ready to watch an exciting, high-powered, high-scoring offense that is putting up almost 34 points a game, and a hard-hitting defense that is sure to take your breath away with bone-shattering tackles and blitzes that keep quarterbacks on their toes the entire game.

Notable players: Dallas loves its heroes and SMU has them. Running back Zach Line, a converted linebacker recruit, has a face like a 1930s boxer and the attitude to go with it — he would rather run over defenders than run around them. He doesn’t fit the bill as a prototypical runner, but he sure delivers. Whether it’s three yards for the first down, or a 20-yard touchdown run, Zach is sure to get you on your feet for the big play.

And how about acrobatics during the game? Receiver Darius Johnson is a one-man highlight tape. Twisting and turning in ways that make chiropractors wince, he is sure to put on a show every time the ball is thrown in his direction. High, low, behind him — it really doesn’t matter. Johnson will have kids in playgrounds everywhere wearing No. 3 and hoping to recreate his winning touchdown catch.

SMU’s defense is home to a talented duo of linebackers in Taylor Reed and Ja'Gared Davis, who work together to shut down opposing offenses, both making big plays when needed, and feeding off each other makes it a pleasure to watch. When No. 44 and No. 56 line up for a play, you are almost guaranteed to see fireworks. Then there’s a 6-foot-8-inch Estonian blocking machine in defensive end Margus Hunt who is third in NCAA history in blocked kicks. When a field goal is no longer a sure thing and the stands are up yelling his name, it’s hard not to notice that there is something very special going on at SMU.

So come on Dallas, what are you waiting for? The SMU Mustangs have arrived and are here to stay. Don’t hesitate, or you might have to put your name in the lottery to find a seat in our (soon-to-be-expanded) stadium. With all that SMU has to offer sports fanatics, wayward fans longing for their hometown team and families looking to share the joy of football in a fun and safe environment, why don’t we all have season tickets already? Come out and see the Mustangs just once, and I promise it won’t be your last.

Dallas, the SMU Mustangs are here and we are proud to be your team.

(Former SMU defensive lineman Allan Adami is a special contributor to PonyFans.com)