It's Texas. If there is anywhere that football is more important than in Alabama, that's the place.
When my kids and I were in Dallas last October, we wanted to drive by the stadium. So, I typed "Cowboy Stadium" into my GPS and it took us to a high school stadium in Irving.
It was a very nice stadium, however! School was just letting out when we got there and several of the girls waved at my son.
In Texas, football IS the religion you must belong to. All others are forbidden & to follow them is to make you an infidel.
If you ever want to get an in depth account of the importance of football in Texas, just read "Friday Night Lights".