Commanders' Fan Turnout Providing Boost At Training Camp

The Washington Commanders fan turnout has led to a different energy at training camp compared to years past.

There's a different energy surrounding the Washington Commanders this season.

That energy has been most evident through the fan turnout in the first few days of training camp. Fans have come out in droves compared to previous years. Even Phoenix Suns forward, Kevin Durant, a 13-time NBA All Star, two-time NBA champion and Washington fan made an appearance on Friday. 

The fan support is something Commanders head coach Ron Rivera has rarely seen in his tenure.

"It was truly incredible," Rivera said on Saturday. "Truly amazing and exciting. First of all, we really appreciate the fans. I know they've always been there...To see them come out in force today was excellent. Our players really appreciate it, I know our ownership appreciates the renewed interest and I'm really appreciative of it."

Rivera's time as Washington's head coach has experienced some highs like when they hosted the Tampa Buccaneers in the 2020 playoffs and the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football last season. Even with those two big games, Rivera said the fan excitement on Saturday was comparable to those two games.

With the fans coming out in full force, Rivera said it has impacted the player's energy on the field. 

"You see the energy level is up," Rivera said. "The guys are excited about it. You see that it brings a liveliness to practice."

That liveliness has even leaked into the kicking competition between Joey Slye and Michael Badgely.  When they were kicking, Rivera asked Chase Young to get the crowd going, to which they obliged. For Rivera, the fans getting riled out while Slye and Badgely kicked can help him and the kickers get an idea of what to expect in the games.

"It simulates to a degree what Joey is going to feel [and] what Mike is going to feel when they're out there kicking field goals and extra points," Rivera said. "To have them come in and have the fan base get involved in practice, it helps us."

The Commanders ranked last in fan attendance last season, according to Pro Football Reference. They were 26th in 2021 and have been consistently near the bottom of in attendance in recent years. 

Now with a reinvigorated fan base that has shown up at training camp, their impact can reinvigorate a Commanders team that's in a make-or-break season. 

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