By Terry and Talon Hart
My Son and I have been DC Defenders fans since the shortened season in 2020. We attended a game and had an absolute blast at Audi Field. We had never seen anything like the Beer Snake built in a stadium and it emphasized how much the fans were really into the game. We both immediately became hooked.
Last year, we took a leap of faith and purchased season club seats and it was a great decision. The atmosphere during the games is more like college football. I used to have Redskins season tickets and I can say I never witnessed a crowd more into a game than the Defenders fans.
Talon says his favorite experience of last season was how different the energy was from any other league or sport that he had ever experienced. He believes the difference in the electric atmosphere of Audi Field is how energetic and enthusiastic the fans are for their team and never seem to abandon their devotion. He also loved what each of the hype and super fans brought to each game experience.
Talon and I decided to write for AFN about our experiences as father and son fans of the Defenders. We are not football experts, but simply want to share our love for the team.
Talon will be 13 this upcoming youth football season and has played since he was 5 years old. He absolutely loves the game. I have coached youth and high school football for 23 years. I absolutely love the game too, and think there’s no sport that comes close to the bond a football team builds during a season.
As I’ve learned from my coaching experience, every team forms a different type of bond each year. Coaches come and go, as do players. But what makes good teams become even better teams are the coaches and players that stay with the team, giving them the ability to form deep trust and respect for each other.
That brings me to this year’s 2024 Defenders team. The bond they formed last year should definitely help them build a new, stronger one this year. If I’m a betting man, I’m sure they can’t wait to get back on the field to get that bad taste out of their mouth from the loss to Arlington in the Championship game.
We are very happy and excited to see Head Coach Reggie Barlow back, as well as Offensive Coordinator Fred Kaiss and Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams. As fans, we feel very confident in their leadership, and are sure they will be able to regroup and take the Defenders back to the championship, this year in St. Louis.
Along with the coaches I discussed, having many familiar players return is also exciting! QB Jordan Ta’amu, RB Abram Smith, WR Josh Hammond, DE Davin Bellamy, LB Francis Bernard, LB Reggie Northrup, DB DJ Swearinger and DB Michael Joseph.
After studying over the schedule for the newly formed UFL league, we’re disappointed we don’t get to see the two-time USFL champion Birmingham Stallions at Audi Field. However, we are looking forward to seeing the new Houston Roughnecks and Memphis Showboats along with the XFL surviving teams from last year.
Talon is most looking forward to observing how combining the USFL and XFL teams and fans will change the atmosphere for the games. He is hoping to see even more dynamic momentum than last year.
This will be an exciting year! If you don’t have tickets yet, you better get them soon!
BUILD THE SNAKE!!
Let’s Go DC!