Deaf man selected as Washington Commanders’ “Fan of the Year”

Renca Dunn, Daily Moth Reporter: Every year, NFL teams pick their “Fan of the Year.” In 2024, the Washington Commanders selected Dale McCord, who is a Deaf man from the DMV area. The Commanders picked Dale as the 2024 “Fan of the Year.”

(Video clip of announcement) Credit: Dale McCord

Renca: He received tickets to the upcoming Super Bowl. He’s going there and the Deaf community has an opportunity to vote for him to become the “National Fan of the Year.” This is where the selected fans from all NFL teams compete in a pool where people can vote till February for the national winner. The person will be honored at the Super Bowl. We have an opportunity to vote for Dale. Here is an interview with Dale on his experience of being the 2024 “Fan of the Year” for the Washington Commanders.

Dale McCord: Overwhelming. Very emotional. People have reached out to me to congratulate me. I don’t feel it’s real yet. It’s still overwhelming. I just found out two weeks ago. I’m still processing it. I’m like, “Okay, this is real!” I’ve been a fan of the team for pretty much my whole life. I got my season tickets from my grandpa. He got them in 1981. Then my aunt had the tickets, and it was passed down to me in 2011. I’ve been a fan of the team for a long time. I’ve attended games since 2011. So to be honored by the team is incredibly cool. When I was born, my grandparents put a “Redskins” baby outfit on me. That was when the team was the Redskins.

Renca: Aww!

Dale: Now the team’s changed its name to the Commanders.

Renca: That’s right.

Dale: So basically, before I was born, I’ve been a fan!

Renca: Now, how did they select you? What is their criteria?

Dale: So the NFL has a type of form where you can fill out to nominate. My wife nominated me. I was like, “You don’t have to do that.” I thought nothing of it. The criteria asked questions such as, “Why are you a true fan?” “How do you show spirit and encourage other fans during games?” “What charities do you give back to in the community?” That’s a big part of who I am as a fan. I give back to my community to people who are in need or whatever they need to support one another. I saw the team come up with Super Bowl tickets. I saw my friend in the front. I thought he would win and I was happy for him. But I heard my name being called. I was like, “What?” I saw the cheerleaders sign, “You’re the fan of the year.” The cheerleader signed! I was just shocked. It is just an honor. I didn’t even think I would be selected. It does mean a lot that they want me to represent the team.

Renca: What did you see? How did they announce it?

Dale: At the game, on the Jumbotron, they had an interpreter there to announce the “Fan of the Year.” It’s the first time I saw an interpreter on the Jumbotron that’s not related to the national anthem at any game, as far as I know. It was so cool to see the interpreter. I’ve been working with the team for a while on trying to get them to provide captioning and interpreting. As you know, it can be frustrating. But to see this for the first time, it was such a morale booster. I felt like my hard work paid off. I’m hoping to spread this message to all NFL stadiums. Not only the NFL, but baseball, soccer, and others. It would be an amazing experience for all.

Renca: I’m sure it was awesome to see the interpreter on the Jumbotron! Inspiring.

Dale: For sure.

Renca: So you’ve been supporting the team and working with the Washington Commanders. What have you been working on with them?

Dale: Sure. I’ve been asking the team to provide an interpreter for the national anthem. I also asked them to provide captioning. The captioning during game days is not that great, it’s hit-or-miss. They told me that they added a new captioning system. Two months ago I asked if they could provide interpreters for pre-recorded things. Gallaudet is near. We have a large following of Deaf fans who come to the games. Washington, D.C. is a mixed bowl and we have a lot of different fans. So it would be nice for Gallaudet students and the Deaf community in the area as it’s large. If they go to the games, they can see the captions. They said they’ll see what they can do. So when I saw it for the first time, it was cool, and I sent a message of gratitude for doing that. It means a lot to us. I have a few deaf friends who went to the game and they thought it was cool. They asked me “how” and I told them I’ve been working with the team. They said it was cool and it was uplifting. It’s not just for me but for the greater Deaf community at the games.

Renca: Yeah! What’s next for you? With the Commanders, what’s next?

Dale: I hope to build the bridge between the Deaf community and the team to try and, including all the other teams, to spread the message that NFL Deaf fans are fans too. We are not the type to stay quiet. We want to show that we are people, too. We go to the games. I want the Deaf community to be represented as well. That’s my goal, to provide collaboration between the NFL and the Deaf community to improve the gameday experience for all. Not only in the games, but on the television as well. So we’re taking it one thing at a time.

Renca: Thank you, Dale, for your time. We wish you the best of luck. The link for the voting is in the transcript.

Vote: https://www.nfl.com/honors/fan-of-the-year/2024/commanders

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