Last Place Washington Wins Arena Football League Championship
It’s been an amazing few months for Washington sports teams owner Ted Leonsis. First, his Washington Capitals hockey team won the National Hockey League Stanley Cup Finals. Now, his Washington Valor football team won the Arena Football League Championship in the Arena Bowl. Here is what is amazing. The Valor went 2 – 10 in the regular season. The team finished in last place. Yet, in the playoffs, the Valor went on a winning streak when it mattered most in the season. The Washington Valor beat the Baltimore Brigade 69 – 55 to win the Championship. Washington was led by quarterback Arvell Nelson, who passed for 223 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for 42 yards and five more touchdowns. Nelson was named Arena Bowl MVP. Just like the Capitals did in the month prior, the Valor played We Are the Champions and drank Bud Light from their championship trophy.
Leonsis is so proud that DC is changing the culture in terms of sports success. He believes that DC teams are ready to win championships across a multitude of sports. Washington DC is starting to get the nickname District of Champions after some of the city’s recent sports successes. Now, we just need for even more teams to add championships to the legacy of Washington DC. The Valor hosted a celebratory fan rally to honor the Champions. It was a great way for fans to interact and take photos with their favorite players and coaches. The ArenaBowl trophy was also on display and you could enjoy food and drinks.
“I’m so proud of this group of guys,” Valor Head Coach Benji McDowell said after the game. “We fought the entire game. It was a championship performance from start to finish against a great Baltimore team.” Valor wide receiver Doug McNeil caught eight passes for 95 yards and three receiving touchdowns and added a kickoff return touchdown on his way to being named Offensive Player of the Game. Is Washington really the District of Champions? We will see! First, the Caps and now the Valor, and in the future, we have to see how the Mystics (who are in the playoffs now), Nats, DC United, Kastles, Spirit, Wizards, and Redskins perform. I believe it is DC’s time!
Theo Abbott
Contributing Writer
