It’s a common theme when a player signs with a new team, and you hear him say what a dream it is to play for insert team name here. Whether it’s because the player grew up in the area or rooted for a specific player, it’s a common theme. But when new Washington Commanders safety Nick Cross tells you he grew up a fan of the franchise, he’s not lying.
There are social media posts to prove it, dating back to his time in high school at DeMatha Catholic in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
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When the Washington Capitals won the Stanley Cup in 2018, Cross shared his thoughts on Twitter — now X. For most younger fans of Washington-area sports teams, there had been a championship drought until Alexander Ovechkin and the Caps brought the Stanley Cup to D.C.
Are you convinced of Cross’ fandom yet?
Well, if you don’t believe that, there’s an interview from 2022 at the University of Maryland’s Pro Day, where Cross acknowledged his fandom.
“I was a Washington fan all the way, I lived and died with Washington, cried when they lost,” Cross said. “My dad always told me to save your tears for something more meaningful.”
That’s good advice. Outside of the 2024 season and a few others sprinkled in between, Washington fans have had plenty of reasons to cry over the years.
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So, when Cross meets with the local media for the first time and tells you he grew up a Redskins fan, he’s telling the truth. Now 24 and a veteran of four NFL seasons, Cross is playing for his hometown team, which he adored as a child and rooted for.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Safety Nick Cross grew up a huge fan