The votes are in and three incredible fans have been chosen for the inaugural class of the “Hall of Fans.”
On September 19, Sully of the Green Men of the Vancouver Canucks, Captain Dee-Fense (Larry H.) of the Baltimore Ravens and Emily of the University of Alabama (specifically softball) will be inducted into this new institution in a special ceremony on ESPN’s Bristol, Conn. campus.
“It’s just such an honor to be selected among so many outstanding candidates with such strong passion for their sport and team,” said inductee Larry “Wes” Henson, known as Captain Dee-Fense to Baltimore Ravens fans. “I can’t thank all of the fans in Baltimore and across the country enough for the support. I’m very proud, very humbled and incredibly excited.”
Henson never misses a Ravens home game, dresses in a purple military inspired costume and frequently participates in community events in and around Baltimore.
Also joining the inaugural class are the famed Green Men who distract and taunt opposing players to support their Vancouver Canucks. For years, Sully and Force have been donning the memorable green suits.
“To be part of the inaugural class is something extra special,” said Adam Forsythe, aka “Sully.”
“There will be Hall of Fame classes beyond this one, but to be inducted on the first go-round is awesome,” he said. “It’s pretty cool to think the small idea of two idiots in green suits attending a hockey game three years ago would turn into something so big. To be the only Canadian representative and only hockey representative makes it even better.”
From Vancouver all the way down to Tuscaloosa, the final inductee represents the heart and soul of Alabama’s softball team. Dressed in a pink sombrero and red overalls, Emily is a fixture at every Tide game and known for leading chants from the dugout.
“This means a great deal to me. I can’t thank the University of Alabama, the Alabama softball team, softball fans everywhere and fans of women’s athletics for voting me into the Hall of Fans,” said Emily Pitek.
The September 19 ceremony will include remarks by ESPN president John Skipper and emcee for the program will be SportsNation’s Charissa Thompson. Three vintage stadium chairs with individual plaques will be placed on the Bristol lawn and will immortalize the names of the inductees. The fans will also be presented with a StubHub gift certificate during the event.
Nearly 50,000 votes were cast over the ten day period. ESPN and StubHub launched the Hall of Fans in July to honor and recognize extraordinary stories of fandom.
