Christen Harper’s Tips and Tricks for Taking on Football Game Days

Engaged to Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, the model has a lot of first-hand experience.

Christen Harper.Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Football—both college and professional—is upon us once again. Game days often involve a day-long show of team spirit and support for players. While regulars are likely to have their own traditions and routines, in the event that you’re new to the seasonal sport, the SI Swimsuit team sat down with model Christen Harper, who is somewhat of an expert on game days, to hear her best tips and tricks for making the most of them.

A typical game day

For Harper, who is engaged to Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, an NFL game is an all-day affair. During the regular season, Lions home games usually take place around 1 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon. So, her mornings are slow—she takes time to drink coffee and relax before she gets ready and the festivities begin.

Harper heads to the stadium two or three hours before kickoff “to beat traffic and get there early enough for warmups,” she says. Warmups are a more relaxed time, giving her the chance to see and talk to Goff. It’s also an opportunity to hang out with the other women there to watch their significant others play. “We like to grab a drink together, take cute photos or just walk around and take it all in before the game starts,” she says. “When the game starts, I’m pretty locked in, and don’t really get up or move around much.”

Arriving early isn’t just a perk for the family of players, though. Fans can do it, too. “I think a lot of people don’t realize you can get to the game early to see warmups and get really close to the players,” she says. “I think that’s a really fun opportunity that a lot of people miss out on.” It’s a great chance, particularly, for kids to meet the players, who tend to come over and say hi to those gathered near the sidelines.

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A post shared by Christen Harper (@christenharper)

At halftime, the women meet up again to debrief on the game thus far. And when it ends, they gather again in the family area to meet up with the players they came to support. “Jared’s usually one of the last ones out, so usually [I’m] waiting the longest out of everyone,” she says.

Post-game tends to be just as relaxing as the morning. Most game days, Harper and Goff “order some pizza or takeout, sit on the couch and watch the rest of the football games from home,” she says. “Usually we’ll re-watch the [Lions] game, too.”

Favorite stadium food

Most Sundays, Harper gets a stadium pretzel during the game. The Lions stadium offers two different types, both of which the model highly recommends: pretzel bites and giant pretzels that “are the size of [her] face,” she jokes.

“I just can’t resist getting the pretzels every [game] day,” she says. “And then I start thinking that they’re good luck” for the Lions, which convinces her that it has to be a game day tradition.

Favorite game day outfits

The model usually likes to keep her outfits pretty simple and recommends prioritizing comfort over everything else. Typically, she sports a basic pair of jeans and a simple top, which she spices up with a piece of vintage Lions gear. Whether a Lions hat, sweatshirt or leather jacket, the vintage piece is an integral part of her outfit.

“I’ve loved collecting vintage pieces over the past few years,” she explains. “I try to find cool vintage Lions pieces that not everybody has. They’re always worn in, and it’s fun to think that these pieces have had a life of their own.”

Her hobby for collecting vintage Lions gear is part of what makes getting ready for game days really fun. Her favorite finds include a vintage Lions leather jacket, a varsity jacket—resembling the one in the movie Beverly Hills Cop—and a vintage sweatshirt with rhinestone stars. Some of her favorite vintage spots include ABC Vintage in Birmingham, Mich., and the online stores Tonguetied Apparel and Crystal Rags.

When it comes to purses, Harper recommends the brand Sheer Gear, a company that designs chic clear bags that comply with stadium policies. 

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A post shared by Christen Harper (@christenharper)

Game day outfit inspo

When it comes to her own outfits, Harper likes to look to other girls who likewise spend a lot of Sundays at NFL games supporting their partners.

Some of her go-to game day inspiration comes from fellow SI Swimsuit model Olivia Culpo, who is engaged to San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. Like Harper, Culpo shares Instagram stories and TikToks of her game day outfits, giving fans the best football season fashion inspo. 

A few of her other go-to inspo accounts include @allisonkuch, @kristinjuszczky, @marissa_lawrence, @whitneymarierisner and @kennedystidham.

So, whether you’re new to the game day routine or are a seasoned football fan, consider following some of Harper’s tips next game day. Thrift a good piece of vintage team gear and head to the stadium early to catch warmups and enjoy the atmosphere in the stadium before the game starts.

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