Nearly 40,000 fans fill the Dome at America’s Center for the St. Louis Battlehawks’ inaugural home XFL matchup against the Arlington Renegades on Sunday in downtown St. Louis.
The St. Louis Battlehawks and their rowdy fans are back in town after the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and the subsequent collapse of the first iteration of the XFL.
Nearly 40,000 fans at the Dome at America's Center rooted for their team in the home opener against the Arlington Renegades — an XFL attendance record shattered.
Despite the re-imagined XFL's scheduling that resulted in St. Louis' home opener being pushed to the fourth week of the season, fans said this was something they couldn't miss after the abrupt ending three years ago.
"It's surreal," said Andy Smith, a 38-year-old fan from Fenton, who was tailgating behind his SUV with the vanity license plate KAKAAW. "I was devastated back in 2020 when COVID hit and the league folded, and this has just been three years of wishing, and wishing, and wishing, and my dreams have finally come true."
Quarterback A.J. McCarron turned around a less-than-stellar performance last week, going 20 of 27 and passing for 214 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He and running back Brian Hill, who ran for 89 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, led the Battlehawks to a 24-11 victory over the Renegades.
Fans packed parking lots surrounding the Dome at America's Center for traditional tailgating festivities, some even driving more than 10 hours to do so.
Ted Ricci, of Duluth, Minnesota, is one passionate fan who is mostly known as "BallHawk1" and traveled to Missouri for the game. Ricci said the Battlehawks were the closest team to him in 2020, and he decided to stick with them — even to the point where he got a tattoo of the team's logo on his forearm. "It wasn't a choice," he said. "It was going to be all Battlehawks."
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Ted “BallHawk1” Ricci, of Duluth, Minn., shows off fresh ink on Sunday before the team’s home opener against the Arlington Renegades at the Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.
As the players stepped off their coach bus and walked toward the Dome at America's Center, the fans were all roar. "Kakaw!" many of them belted out as head coach Anthony Becht led the team through a tunnel of fans and the Liberty High School Marching Band spanned across Baer Park. Typically paired with the battle cries of Battlehawk faithful was the callout "Kaw is the law!" — which has become an unofficial motto for the franchise.
Sporadically through the event and even through the game, booming chants denounced Stan Kroenke, owner of the Los Angeles Rams.
The multisports franchise owner drew the ire of St. Louis fans when he moved the National Football League team from St. Louis back to California, ultimately resulting in a $790 million settlement in a lawsuit that accused Kroenke and the league of not following the league's relocation guidelines, breaching contracts and misleading the public.
"I know a lot of people were bitter for what [Kroenke] did to the city," said Joey Kosulandich, a 51-year-old football fan from Herculaneum. "So I think this [turnout] is us getting back and saying: 'Hey, the hell with you. We're going to do it our own way. We got the XFL.'"
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
A young St. Louis Battlehawks fans hoists up a sign referring to Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke, who pulled the team out of St. Louis in 2016, on Sunday during the St. Louis Battlehawks’ XFL home opener against the Arlington Renegades at the Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.
In the eyes of Clyde Mason, a 76-year-old Battlehawks season ticket holder from Bellefontaine, St. Louis fans can easily support a football team. "They have supported two already and both did very well here," he said. "People hated Kroenke. [The Rams] made a lot of money here. They had championships here. It was a good team here, so I don't know why Kroenke did leave. That didn't make sense, but probably because he could!"
With St. Louis City SC's recent home opener sellout, Smith said St. Louis is more than home of the Cardinals and Blues. "St. Louis just is a sports town in general," he said. "Don't get me wrong, but St. Louis is a football town as well."
The Rams were a borrowed team, Smith said, so the move wasn't surprising. "They came from LA and they went back to LA, you know, but, but for me this is it," he said. "When the Rams left, that left a huge hole in our hearts, and it just gave us something to rally behind."
Aside from many Battlehawks fans' disdain for Kroenke, they share a passion for football and a love for St. Louis.
Karlee Schmitt, a fan from Carondelet, went to the game with her husband, George, and said the fan atmosphere and experience was unlike any she had experienced before. "Get ready for the camaraderie of your entire life," she said. "Everybody in the city and outside of the city comes here to all have one interest in mind — just have the time of their life."
See photos from the day below:
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Kyle Langford, 35, of Godfrey, drinks beer out of a plunger while being hyped up by fellow “Battlenecks” on Sunday before the St. Louis Battlehawks’ opener against the Arlington Renegades at the Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Jerry Bowen, 59, of Hazelwood, has his face painted by Tanesha Bowen, 29, on Sunday before the St. Louis Battlehawks’ home opener against the Arlington Renegades outside of the Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.
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St. Louis Public Radio
Elijah McKnight, 8, of Hazelwood, launches a football on Sunday during a tailgate preceding the St. Louis Battlehawks’ home opener against the Arlington Renegades in downtown St. Louis.
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St. Louis Public Radio
Serena Hunter, 49, of Edwardsville; Jeremy Hunter, 42, and Chris Hunter, 47, both of Granite City, show off their St. Louis Battlehawks gear on Sunday before the game.
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St. Louis Public Radio
Mike Johnson, 46, of St. Louis Hills, screams “Kakaw!” on Sunday before the St. Louis Battlehawks’ home opener against the Arlington Renegades at the Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis. “I just feel awesome,” he said. “I’m just so excited to have football back — we’ve been waiting a long time for this.”
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St. Louis Public Radio
Jordan Ferris, 36, of Brazil, Ind., shows off a St. Louis Battlehawks necklace he made on Sunday before the team’s inaugural home opener against the Arlington Renegades in downtown St. Louis.
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St. Louis Public Radio
From left: Evan Moore, Kai Moore (holding sign), Chris Vanatti, all of Brazil, Ind., and other St. Louis Battlehawks fans pose for a portrait on Sunday before the St. Louis Battlehawks’ home opener at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Michael Weinhold, 19, of Park Hills, screams out “Kakaw!” along with other St. Louis Battlehawks fans on Sunday before the team's home opener against the Arlington Renegades in downtown St. Louis.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht fist bumps a fan on Sunday before his team takes on the Arlington Renegades on Sunday in downtown St. Louis.
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St. Louis Public Radio
Hundreds of fans welcome the St. Louis Battlehawks to the Dome at America’s Center on Sunday in downtown St. Louis.
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St. Louis Public Radio
Nearly 40,000 fans at the Dome at America’s Center watch the St. Louis Battlehawks’ home opener against the Arlington Renegades.
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St. Louis Public Radio
Dany Garcia, chairwoman and owner of the XFL, welcomes a crowd of nearly 40,000 fans on Sunday before the St. Louis Battlehawks’ home opener against the Arlington Renegades at the Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
The St. Louis Battlehawks take the field for their home opener against the Arlington Renegades on Sunday at the Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Nearly 40,000 fans watch the game at the Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.
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St. Louis Public Radio
Arlington Renegades quarterback Kyle Sloter hands off to running back Adrian Killins on Sunday during the St. Louis Battlehawks’ home opener at the Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.
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St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis Battlehawks running back Kareem Walker is tackled on Sunday during the team’s home opener against the Arlington Renegades at the Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.
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St. Louis Public Radio
Fans celebrate the return of their team on Sunday as the Battlehawks take on the Arlington Renegades at the Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.
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St. Louis Public Radio
Ryan Jones, of Soulard, and James Thompson, of Tower Grove South, cheer for the Battlehawks on Sunday.
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St. Louis Public Radio
Renegades quarterback Kyle Sloter looks to pass while offensive lineman Garrett McGhin is stopped by Battlehawks linebacker Carson Wells on Sunday.
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St. Louis Public Radio
Renegades wide receiver LuJuan Winningham is knocked off his feet by Battlehawks defensive back Nate Meadors on Sunday during the Battlehawks’ home opener.
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St. Louis Public Radio
Battlehawks tight end Jake Sutherland, center, celebrates a play against the Arlington Renegades alongside tight end Jordan Thomas, left, and wide receiver Austin Proehl on Sunday at the Dome at America’s Center.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis fans cheer on Sunday during the Battlehawks game at the Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Chris Tomlin, a sousaphone player for the Saint Boogie Brass Band, performs on Sunday during the Battlehawks’ home opener against the Arlington Renegades at the Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.
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St. Louis Public Radio
Battlehawks wide receiver Darrius Shepherd attempts to fight off a tackler as Renegades defensive back Jamar Johnson awaits him on Sunday at the Dome at America’s Center.
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St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis Battlehawks running back Brian Hill, center, celebrates a play with teammates on Sunday.
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St. Louis Public Radio
Battlehawks wide receiver Darrius Shepherd is hoisted by offensive lineman Eric Magwood after a touchdown on Sunday during the Battlehawks' game against the Arlington Renegades.
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St. Louis Public Radio
Battlehawks defensive back Lavert Hill celebrates with teammates after an interception on Sunday.
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St. Louis Public Radio
Renegades running back Adrian Killins and Battlehawks linebacker Lakiem Williams embrace after the game Sunday.
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St. Louis Public Radio
Battlehawks safety Jonathan Alexander interacts with fans on Sunday after the Battlehawks’ 24-11 victory over the Arlington Renegades at the Dome at America’s Center.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis Battlehawks quarterback A.J. McCarron hugs his son Tripp, 5, on Sunday after the Battlehawks’ 24-11 win over the Arlington Renegades at the Dome at America’s Center.
