What a Rush...

The lights go out. The crowd roars. The arena is lit merely by the
lasers and graphics playing on the scoreboard hung above midfield.
Fan Appreciation Night is underway at Allstate Arena as the Chicago
Rush host the Dallas Vigilantes. Judging by the applause during
pre-game introductions, the crowd deserves a night of their own. The
"Let's Go Rush" chants started as Hohensee's squad took the field
before kickoff and did not slow up until the game was officially over
despite the outcome.

The team showed their love to the fans by taking every moment they
could to interact with them during every break. From races on the
field to Grabowski, the team's mascot, high fiving the fans to even
playing catch with some lucky fans, the appreciation was
genuine. This family-friendly event was a hit with all ages. Whether
you're five or sixty-five, the Rush and its personnel made sure to
accommodate everyone. Perhaps the most important thing to be learned
here is parents can show their kids that sports can be fun and
appreciated even if you aren't playing on the largest of levels or
making hundreds of millions of dollars. Kids may be too young to
grasp the concept or difference between the AFL and NFL, but what they
could connect to on some level, judging by the looks on their faces,
was the Rush players were larger than life to them. They don't need
hour-long nationally televised prime-time press conferences, summits
or contract restructuring to get these youngsters’ attention or
appreciation. All they needed to do was slap on their uniform and
play the game they love no matter what level it is. What more can you
do but appreciate that. As for the game, the Rush would end up giving Dallas their second win of the season in overtime. Can't win em all.