The Washington Commanders are a hot ticket after winning 6 of their first 8 games — their best start in 16 years.
The team drew Alex Ovechkin and many of his Capitals teammates to their home opener. Now, in Week 8, Hall of Famers and Olympic gold medalists from different sports were at Northwest Stadium for the Commanders game against the Chicago Bears, witnessing one of the craziest plays in NFL history. Quarterback Jayden Daniels won the game after time expired in the fourth quarter, connecting on a 52-yard hail mary to Noah Brown, giving the Commanders an 18-15 victory.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., former NASCAR race car driver, highlighted the sports celebrities in the house, returning to Landover, MD, with his wife Amy while wearing a John Riggins #44 jersey.
“Finally back at a game,” he wrote on his Instagram Story.
A diehard Commanders fan for 43 years, Dale Jr. admitted something feels special about this team, sharing his opinions on the Commanders’ pregame show.
Dale Jr.: Man, it’s so exciting. I’ve tried to get to a game, at least one game a year, for the last several years. And I’ve been a fan since 1981 so I’ve seen all the highs and all the lows. There’s been some good moments in the last couple of decades. But watching games this year, and watching the team, it reminds me of how I felt when I was a kid pulling for this team.
The best part about it is when the game’s over, listening to the players and what they’re saying. What they’re saying about the culture and how they’re playing together and they wanna play for each other. Everybody’s saying the right things. It’s genuine. There’s real, real excitement. Not just from the fanbase but inside the locker room.
I think everybody’s excited about our quarterback. Glad he’s going to play today. Looking forward to seeing what happens against the Bears. Long term, things look like they are going in the right direction. And this is something they can absolutely build on.
Walking through here trying to get to this desk, all these people have been waiting, WAITING to come back out here. They have been dying to come back out here and get their jerseys back out of the closet. This has been in the closet for years! [Points to his Riggins jersey.] I’m excited, man. You just walk around, you can feel it.
After the game, Earnhardt Jr. took a photo with his wife on the field and met with Jayden Daniels.
“Unreal ending to a great day,” he wrote. “Thank you @commanders for the hospitality.”
Earnhardt Jr. was not the only big name in the house. Cal Ripken Jr., Baltimore Orioles legend, was photographed by the team during warmups.
.@CalRipkenJr in the house! pic.twitter.com/jpU7xrZApr
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 27, 2024
The Commanders also had gold medalists, soccer player Trinity Rodman and sprinter Quincy Wilson, on the field pregame.
Olympic royalty 🥇@trinity_rodman x @QuincyWilson5 pic.twitter.com/oBc6sMmEuB
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 27, 2024
On the other end of the spectrum, WWE superstar Seth Rollins was also at the game. With Monday Night Raw In Hershey, PA tomorrow night, he came to see his beloved Chicago Bears play, but instead left the stadium in heart break.
This was @WWERollins’ reaction after the @Commanders beat his beloved @ChicagoBears with a last second Hail Mary.
He was in town because Monday Night Raw is in Hershey, PA tomorrow night.
🎥: @PeteGlowDC pic.twitter.com/8Qb389CURd
— RMNB (@rmnb) October 28, 2024
I hate footballlllll. My god.
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) October 27, 2024
The Commanders replied to Rollins’ tweet with a photo of his credential in the trash, suggesting the main event star threw it there as he was leaving.
thanks for coming! pic.twitter.com/htiuakHAXA
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 28, 2024
