Without their fans, the Washington Redskins would not be the same. The team had their Number One Redskin Fan contest winner, Scott Duncan; fly in with his wife, Brandi Sullivan this past week. Duncan entered a contest in which the rules required a photo and a brief essay of a 100 words or less as to why the Redskins should draft him as their #1 fan. The first place winner received lunch with General Manager (GM) Bruce Allen and a tour of the facilities as well as VIP training camp tickets, an authentic signed Redskins helmet and game tickets to the September 11th game against the New York Giants. At that game, they will have pregame and field passes.
Duncan, as well as many others, has a story on how he became a die-hard Redskin fan. His parents originally lived in Philadelphia, Pa. and, as soon as his mother got a job offer with the government, his parents moved to the D.C. metropolitan area. Duncan was then born in Manassas, Virginia.
When he was about a year old he and his family moved to Dallas, Ore. where he was raised. He now resides in Lincoln City on the Oregon coast with his wife and three children. From across the country he still spreads his love and support for the Washington Redskins.
The Redskins fans flew out on Friday July 29th just in time for the second day of open training camp. Here they enjoyed seven Redskins-filled days.
The couple told me how the Washington Redskins welcomed them and it was nothing but great.
“They welcomed us with nothing but smiles and hospitality,” Duncan said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The staff at the Park was awesome.” Both Duncan and Sullivan admit that even owner Dan Snyder added to their dream stay at Redskins Park.
From pictures to memorabilia to autographs and passes, the two true fans were catered to in all ways.
“From the moment we entered the Park we were treated like celebrities is the best way to describe it,” Duncan explained. “Our prize included VIP passes for one day.
However, as soon as the staff found out that they had traveled all the way from Oregon they were immediately given VIP passes for the entire week. The Redskins didn’t stop there. They were escorted into the building after practice, where Redskins’ safety LaRon Landry held the door open for them as they entered the cafeteria.
“It was so surreal being in there amongst all the players,” Sullivan commented.
The couple enjoyed lunch with the Redskins GM and they discussed many things. As the three sat down, Allen asked them what their main concern about the team was. Duncan, still star struck responded “Quarterback.” Allen laughed and jokingly told him “Get in line.”
The two Redskins fans asked Allen what it was like growing up and he responded by saying his childhood was like being “the son of Walt Disney”. Duncan and Sullivan thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with Allen and said “He is an amazingly nice guy and very personable.”
As lunch time came to an end, Snyder surprised Duncan with a shoulder tap and thanked him and his wife for coming. The owner then shook their hands and told them “to give Bruce a hard time and demand a 12-4 season.” Duncan and Sullivan then took a picture with Allen and were given an authentic Redskins helmet signed by wide receiver Santana Moss.
On the following day they received a private tour of the facility. As they approached the office of Sonny Jurgensen, Snyder came out of his office and took a picture with them.
Scott mentioned what he enjoyed the most during his stay in Ashburn.
“What I really enjoyed was the people we got to meet,” he said. “From fans we met through out our trip and friends we’ve only talked to via chat boxes from The Sports Journey Network and Twitter; to the players (Kareem Moore, Reggie Jones, Selvish Capers, Anthony Armstrong, Phillip Daniels, Adam Carriker, Andre Carter, Robert Henson) that helped get us here by votes.”
Duncan then confidently said, “I attribute my fandom to my parents who raised me right. From the day I was born it’s been nothing but ‘Hail to the Redskins.’ This trip has been nothing but a dream come true. Win, lose or tie! Redskins fan till the day I die! Hail To The Redskins!”
Like the Pic change, much better 😉 haha
Thanks for the write up Jennifer! Very cool! but can we get a better pic, I know someones got to have one with my eyes open. ;0) lol