DIRECTV associates wanted to fly their blimp over Amon G. Carter Stadium tonight because FOX is broadcasting the game featuring No. 2 Kansas State and it would also be their first time at TCU. 

But the winds in Texarkana are too much for the blimp to safely fly through, said Gus Fernandez of The Lightship Group. 

“Our rule is always safety first. Obviously, the events are always important but if we know they’re a possibility of some weather we like to stay on the ground,” Fernandez said.

TCU Athletics isn’t positive that this would have been the first blimp to fly over the stadium, Director of Athletics Media Relations Mark Cohen said. Although, he said it was very probable.

The only way the blimp will not fly is if there are strong winds, 22 to 25 miles per hour, or lightening or thunderstorms, Fernandez said. 

Even if the blimp would have made its way to Fort Worth, the National Weather Service predicts a south wind of 15 to 25 miles per hour with gusts up to 35 miles per hour during tonight’s game.

The blimp covers the most sporting events in the nation averaging 105 events every year, Fernandez said.

The blimp is usually manned by 18 crewmembers including pilots, mechanics, clerks and other people within the support crew. They go from city to city traveling about 200 miles a day and stopping in towns to fly over events.

blimpin' all the way to #Texas for this Saturday's game at #TCU. #ksu #tcu #foxsports

— DIRECTV Blimp (@dtvblimp) November 7, 2012

Even though the crew was excited to get to the stadium, Horned Frogs can say that this game was at least blimp-worthy.