Featured image: Daniel Gajdamowicz
The Sons of Ben organized a memorial tailgate before Saturday’s game against DC United, in honor of Eric Shertz. The moving event was made all that more special by the participation of DC United supporters groups La Barra Brava and The Screaming Eagles.
Below are photographs from the event from PSP photographers Barb Colligon and Daniel Gajdamowicz. Before that, there is this video report from the event, reported by PSP’s Eli-Pearlman-Storch and videotaped by Daniel Gajdamowicz.
Photo Essay
Sons of Ben and DC United supporters gathered together for the tailgate
Photo: Barb Colligon
It was a good crowd
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
Eric Shertz Memorial Cornhole Tournament final round
Photo: Barb Colligon
Cornhole Tournament winners Kevin Leonowich (L) and Brian Smith (R) with Eric Shertz’ son, Gabe.
Photo: Barb Colligon
Co-Union supporters-DC supporters bearfight about to commence.
Photo: Barb Colligon
Everyone wins!
Photo: Barb Colligon
Sons of Ben president Kenny Hanson (R) with the Screaming Eagles’ Jimi Butler (L)
Photo: Barb Colligon
It was a truly special event
Photo: Barb Colligon
The fan testimonial Eric recorded last season was played before the start of the game
Photo: Barb Colligon
Gabe Shertz enters the field before the kickoff with Union head coach John Hackworth and assistant coach Rob Vartughian
Photo: Barb Colligon
Gabe joins the team on field before the pre-game Starting XI photo. In the foreground are Nick Sakiewicz and the family of Stan Koziol, the Clifton, NJ born player who played at Loyola, the Puerto Rico national team, and in the MISL, NPSL, and APSL, who recently passed away after battling leukemia.
Photo: Barb Colligon
Gabe and John Hackworth before kickoff
Photo: Barb Colligon
A minute of silence commenced at 20:10 of Saturday’s game
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
DC United’s traveling support joined in paying their respect
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
Great job to everyone involved. That was pretty special to see the Screaming Eagles getting a standing ovation as they walked in to the tailgate. That would never happen in any of the other major sports. Gabe seems like such a great kid – an obvious testament to the legacy that Eric leaves behind.
Great stuff! Nice how it starts with the Video!
Tip of the hat to the DC Supporters. They showed class and were very respectful during the moment of silence too.
+1000
Everything was a ‘class act’ on Saturday… the SoB tailgate arrangements, the Unions’ setting our family up with tix for the match, and the DC United turnout at the tailgate and the game. I can’t say this enough… thank you… thank you… thank you.