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Washington Commanders’ season kickoff event full of electric energy from fans

Matt Kaufax | matt.kaufax@wtop.com

September 8, 2023, 11:38 PM

The Washington Commanders’ Friday kickoff event in Franklin Park in downtown D.C. had everything: meet and greets with team legends, arts and crafts, face painting, fun interactive games for the whole family, plus live music and food — all to crank up the hype for Sunday’s home opening game.

For the first time in a while, the atmosphere was electric, as fans told WTOP about how optimistic they felt this year with all of the new ownership, coaching and player shake-ups that have happened in the offseason.

They said Sunday can’t come soon enough!

<p>Wolf and his family flew all the way in from North Dakota and are staying for the game on Sunday. He said the Commanders have been his team since he saw John Riggins running on TV decades ago.</p> 1/9
Rick Wolf poses with a football signed by wide receiver Santana Moss at the kickoff event. (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)

Wolf and his family flew all the way in from North Dakota and are staying for the game on Sunday. He said the Commanders have been his team since he saw John Riggins running on TV decades ago.

<p>Eric Pryor said he’s happy to see the fan base reinvigorated.</p> <p>He said there were way more fans at this year’s kick off than last year’s, and he’s excited about that.</p> 2/9
Eric Pryor poses with his Washington, D.C. sports teams T-shirt. (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)

Eric Pryor said he’s happy to see the fan base reinvigorated.

He said there were way more fans at this year’s kick off than last year’s, and he’s excited about that.

<div class="c-message_kit__gutter__left" role="presentation"> <div class="p-message_pane_message__compact_timestamp p-message_pane_message__compact_timestamp--light p-message_pane_message__compact_timestamp--adjacent">Chris Hall has been a fan of the Washington Commanders since he was born. He said it’s never too early to start the trash talk.</div> </div> 3/9
Chris Hall shows off his Commanders flag. (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)
<p>Hall also thinks the Commanders have a chance to make the playoffs this year.</p> 4/9
Hall shows off his “I Hate Dallas” T-shirt that said “You Should Too” on the back.

Hall also thinks the Commanders have a chance to make the playoffs this year.

5/9
Wide receiver Santana Moss doing a meet and greet with fans. (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)
6/9
Fans collect merch at the Washington Commanders season kickoff event. (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)
7/9
Fans show off their merch at the Washington Commanders season kickoff event. (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)
8/9
There were activities throughout the kickoff event for kids and families. (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)
9/9
Fans could get Commanders-themed face paint at the season kickoff event. (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)
Matt Kaufax

If there's an off-the-beaten-path type of attraction, person, or phenomenon in the DC area that you think more people should know about, Matt is your guy. As the features reporter for WTOP, he's always on the hunt for stories that provide a unique local flavor—a slice of life if you will.

matt.kaufax@wtop.com

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