...as hot as hell itself! Giving an honor to someone from the opposing team? It wouldn't be the first time. I'm sure @kgilbert78 can tell you about the time the Penguins fan rode the Zamboni at Nationwide.
Griffin is probably the second or third to last big get for the match ignitor. Maybe Day. You still have 21 Pilots and Debby Ryan. But thats about it. Maybe Caamp. One of the members of Caamp came to the ASG. Long shots would be Pat McAfee or AJ hawk.
Here's a hot take: The match ignitor is more to engage the casual fan, or even someone attending the match who wouldn't consider themself to be a "Crew fan" than it is for us hardcore supporters. 90% of the people in the crowd likely have no idea Noonan played in Columbus at one point.
Neither of you might be wrong. In a landmark season like #30, you'd think there'd be a bunch of callbacks to Crew people of seasons past. But it's also highly possible the match ignitor *is* intended as a hype person for the casual fan.
BTW, I love Archie as a Match Ignitor. It isn't about football vs futbol, it is about Columbus vs Cincinnati, and Archie is as Columbus as they come.
21 match ignitors since last year's HiR: Former CBJ Jared Boll and Derek Dorsett Ohio State AD Gene Smith Mayor Andy Ginther Pro wrestler Johnny Gargano Ohio State basketball HC Jake Diebler Ohio State University marching band YouTube wildlife expert NBC4 anchor Matt Barnes Columbus Fury HC Ohio State artistic swimmers (Olympic silver medalists) Ohio Wesleyan men's soccer coach Former Browns DL John Hughes Former Ohio State QB Braxton Miller Ohio State WR Carnell Tate Browns mascot Professional pickleball star Federico Higuain Cavs HC and Browns WR Jerry Jeudy Vets Memorial AVP of Business Ops Nationwide Children's Behavioral unit Former Ohio State RB Archie Griffin 1/3 of the list is Ohio State Athletics. Pipa is the only one with any association to the Crew. Ohio State and other professional sports teams thank the Crew marketing team for the free earned media.
It reminds the casual fans of how much they'd prefer to be at a Browns or Buckeyes game, and how they can check out of following the Crew when football season starts in a few months. Educating casuals about the history of the team and its legends seems like a good way to get them more interested in the team long-term, similar to how Ohio State often brings back championship teams on anniversaries of their titles, but what do I know. I was a finance major and only got an A- in introductory marketing.
I'm well aware that the Match Ignitor "isn't for us." But I'm also curious when they're going to start celebrating the 30th Anniversary.
Columbus does not have an NFL team. And neither the CBJ nor Crew were in existence then, much less FCK. It is totally meaningless. And pretty underwhelming considering his college career. Meanwhile, he has played at OSU, won 2 Heisman's, a lived in Columbus nearly his whole adult life. And worked for OSU. He is a Columbus lifer, FFS. Only an idiot or pathetic internet troll could fail to see it. Give up on this point and move on.
Got to think like a weird marketing person. Pat was in some crew youth program at some point Although im not sure what weird marketing person thought Jerry Jeudy was a good idea. Flacco or Myles would have been my choice.