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via Imago

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Dale Earnhardt Jr’s infectious popularity spreads beyond motorsport. While his long 21-year NASCAR career was laden with Most Popular Driver awards, fans from other disciplines also hail him. This situation can be partly attributed to the legendary impact that his father, Dale Sr, had in his iconic races.

Hence, The Intimidator’s name echoes in NASCAR’s oval circuits as well as the stadiums of the NFL. Recently, Dale Earnhardt Jr’s favorite football team offered a small salute to his father on Twitter. And Junior heartily responded, despite it being late at night.

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Fans cheer along as Dale Earnhardt Jr upholds NFL team’s post

The late Dale Earnhardt had left an undying legacy in NASCAR. Ranging from his record-tying seven Cup championships to his iconic 1979 Bristol win, The Intimidator’s exploits made him a force to reckon with among drivers. And his tremendous energy inspired athletes in other sporting disciplines, most notably the NFL.

Hence, when The Washington Commanders added a Dale Sr salute on a draft day post, race and football fans were united. They tweeted: “IT’S DRAFT DAY #RaiseHail”. Dale Earnhardt Jr instantly reposted the tweet, heart-warmed by his dad’s commemoration. “I can get behind this hashtag 😀 IYKYK”.

 

Fans from diverse backgrounds poured their enthusiasm in the comments section. In a heartwarming moment, a US Army Helicopter pilot posted a photo of his helmet, decorated with a Dale Sr cartoon flanked by the 4-word slogan: “RAISE HELL PRAISE DALE”. 

A racing fan added a GIF featuring Dale Sr, spinning his famous No. 3 car on the front stretch. On the bottom was written the same slogan.

 

Another fan posted a photo of apparently their own car’s number plate. The striking element was the emboldened letters of the slogan.

 

Other fans also chanted the same 4-day slogan like a sacred hymn, hoping that the Dale Earnhardt would be watching from somewhere. One fan even appeared ecstatic at the prospect of Dale Earnhardt Jr possibly watching the football game: “Dale Jr watching the draft tonight? Oh boy.”

And indeed, Dale Earnhardt Jr’s bond with the Washington Commanders runs deep. Last year he was heartbroken when the million-dollar team was sold. The former owner, Daniel Snyders, was close to the 2015 Daytona 500 winner. But Dale Jr’s fondness for the team stretched back to his school years.

Mom’s gift allied Dale Jr with the NFL team

Dale Earnhardt Jr has made no secret of his love for the Washington Commanders. Back in 2017, he was visibly sad when he had to scrap a paint scheme for his car: it carried the logo of the team, which was then called the Washington Redskins. Dale Jr had revealed in a 2012 interview how his love for the iconic football team had bloomed.

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However, Junior’s love affair with the team blossomed in 1983, when his mother, Brenda Lorraine Gee, bought him a Washington uniform for his ninth birthday. “That was when I officially proclaimed my devotion solely to the Redskins. I had watched games before, particularly the 1983 Super Bowl, when John Riggins ran ‘I-Right 70 Chip’ on fourth-and-1. He went 43 yards for a touchdown to put the Skins ahead 20-17. They won 27-17. To say I was intrigued would be understating it a bit. But when momma got me the jersey, from that moment forward, I might as well have been lining up alongside Riggins himself.”

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With the blessings of both the Earnhardt father-son duo, the Washington Commanders are sure to excel this season, wouldn’t you agree?

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