Why Did You Want To Lead A Chapter?
Navneet: We’re pretty lucky in that our founding leader Keith, really built this DC Panthers fan group in a very inclusive way and that the leadership of our group has organically grown so that when the time came for Keith and his wife Amy to move back to NC, the leadership transition was very smooth. Now, Jayme Thysell, Mordecai Scott and myself all participate as leaders of our group and our fans are wonderful—they proactively offer to step in and help if any of us aren’t able to be there or if we need an extra hand.
Keith: It really is amazing to see a chapter run itself. I worried when I would be away for games that something would not get done but it’s a lot of worrying for nothing. As long as the game is on and the sound is up each game day is like a family get-together. A lot of our fans are North/South Carolina transplants so each Sunday is almost like a surrogate family get-together. And to make things a little more like home, Navneet started doing Bojangles tailgates where she would bring Bojangles food to the bar before the game. There are only two Bojangles in the immediate DC area so having that was a treat and made Sundays truly feel like a family gathering.
What Does Being In The Roaring Riot Mean To You? How Excited Are You To Be A Part of the Roaring Riot?
Navneet: It’s great that our fanbase now has a larger community that we are all a part of—and that that community has now grown global. For me, personally, it’s been so fun meeting panthers fans in different cities and to have a home away from home when I’m traveling during football season. In its short lifetime, Roaring Riot has offered its membership incredible opportunities that we might never have experienced elsewise. From the chapter watch parties all across the world to the opportunities to meet our favorite panthers players (Crusin with Cam! what an insane opportunity it was to meet our qb!), in my humble opinion Roaring Riot definitely gives more to its membership than any other community-based organization I’ve been a part of.
Keith: Personally, seeing a global fanbase of Panthers fans leaves me in awe. From our meager beginnings of the three of us in a stinky basement bar to the massive and passionate crowds we attract now is very humbling. That passion resonating from all of the chapters and seeing those who are excited to start chapters of their own makes me very happy. I believe the DC chapter started several practices that other locations embrace today such as the game day/stadium sounds and jersey patches – all of which help reinforce the sense of community and an identity of the Roaring Riot.
As I have often said, the Roaring Riot is like Fight Club in that you can go to any city and find a place to watch the Panthers with strangers who quickly become friends. And the first rule is you talk about it.
Capital Riot is special in that we have brought in several famous folks: Of those who have taken in a few games: A couple of senators, a senatorial candidate, at least three congressmen, a CNN correspondent and Brenton Bersin’s parents. One of those remarked to me, “thank you for doing this. I don’t get a chance to get out much but I feel safe here.” That meant a lot.
What One Place Would You Recommend Panthers Fans Eat in DC? One Activity? One Place To Drink?
Navneet: That’s a hard one. There’s so much to see and do here, and a lot of it is free. For those coming into town for the Capital City Takeover, the one thing I’ll say is that brunch is like religion here so if you can, take advantage of the many, many bottomless brunch options in town on Saturday and then sight-see some of the memorials around town (sight-seeing is always more fun with a couple of mimosas under your belt!). The city is pretty small and very walkable so it’s easy to see a lot in a short amount of time. For the best view in town, I’d recommend grabbing a drink at POV at the W Hotel, which is very centrally located and has amazing views of the Washington Monument and the White House.
Keith: Navneet was too diplomatic about it. I’m not going to be so.
One place to eat: El Pollo Rico – literally “the rich chicken.” It is a Peruvian restaurant about halfway between the Clarendon and Virginia Square metro stations. It operates out of a former garage. There is nothing fancy about it but the food is straight-up amazing. It is some of the richest, most succulent rotisserie chicken you will ever dream of eating. And no, there is nothing like it in Carolinas. Get the quarter (white or dark) “con todo” (with everything which is fries and coleslaw). I always eat there when I am back visiting.
One activity: see the Korean War Memorial at night. One less than known activity: Visit Gravelly Point Park (off the north end of the N-S runway at National Airport) when the planes are landing to the south. You will wonder if some are going to make it.
I second POV at the W. Best views in the city.
What Was it Like During the 2015 Run/Super Bowl?
Navneet: How do you even describe that season? We had just moved to Lucky Bar after our previous home bar had shut down so it was all new and crazy and INSANELY fun.
Keith: That was one crazy season.
As Nav said we had just relocated so we said “Lucky Bar” truly was “lucky”. That was the season we kept growing and kept growing. That was also the year we got a blizzard of three feet of snow during the playoff game against the Cardinals. DC doesn’t do so well clearing snow, so we worked with another bar in Arlington, VA to showcase our playoff game for those who could not make it into DC to get to Lucky Bar. We had about 50 people show up at both locations.
In the run up to Super Bowl, Jayme and I appeared on one of the local news stations, NewsChannel 8’s “Let’s Talk Live” to challenge Denver fans to some Super Bowl trivia (SPOILER: we won).
And play Super Bowl Charades:
We also had several of our fans show up and play along with the morning show on WJLA channel 7, here’s Katharine and Terrence playing head-to-head trivia against Denver fans:
Several local news crews showed up at halftime to shoot video and interview fans. It was chaos. During the interview I remember it being so loud I could not hear myself talking.
How excited are you to have the Roaring Riot and the Panthers invade your hometown?
Navneet: Well this is the second time we’ve had Roaring Riot in DC – the first time was in December during the 2016 season – but this will be the first time we’ll have Roaring Riot members in town while we are playing meaningful football and with beautiful fall weather to boot. We’re all pretty pumped!
What’s Your Score Prediction For This Sunday’s Panthers/Giants game?
Navneet: 28-17
Keith: Just like in 2011: Panthers 33, Redskins 20. And I had better hear “KEEP” and “POUNDING” loud and clear all the way in Winston-Salem!
To Learn More About The Capital Riot and Find the Closest Chapter to Where You Live, Click This Picture Of The Wide Receivers:
