2 cross pond to play for Rams ‘Tuddy’ to debut with Commanders for 2023 season

VCU might consider adding Shepherd’s pie, fish ‘n’ chips and cream tea to its concession stand menu.

Last season the Rams had one basketball player from the United Kingdom. Now it has two.

Michael Belle, a 6-foot-6 forward who will turn 20 in December, is a British native who played this past season for Strasbourg in France’s U-21 pro league.

He averaged 17 points and nine rebounds in the French league.

Belle joins Brit Tobi Lawal, a freshman.

Belle narrowed his choice to VCU and the Rams’ Atlantic 10 rival, Dayton, before deciding last weekend on VCU.

Belle becomes at least the fifth Englishman to grace its roster.

Martin Henlan played for the Rams 1986-1990, averaging 6.3 points and 6.8 rebounds for his career.

Nick George scored 1,546 points and grabbed 703 rebounds for VCU between 2002-2006.

Teddy Okerafor was a backup guard during the 2012-2013 season before transferring to Rider.

VCU now has 10 scholarship players and, as of press time, openings for three more.

The Washington Commanders will have a new owner and a new mascot for the 2023 season.

Opening day is Sept. 10 against Arizona with a 1 p.m. kickoff at FedEx Stadium.

The Commanders’ new owner, businessman Josh Harris, recently purchased the franchise for a record $6.05 billion from former owner Dan Snyder. The deal represents the largest franchise financial settlement ever in any sport.

On a lighter note, the team is introducing mascot Major Tuddy, a 6-foot-5 hog-like figure wearing the teams’ traditional colors, burgundy and gold.

The “Major” comes from the city’s long military history. “Tuddy” is a slang term for touchdown. The hog-like appearance is a throwback to the team’s beloved “Hogs” offensive line from the 1980s and 1990s.

Washington will have two national primetime games on Thursdays, in Week 5 against Chicago and in Week 12 against Dallas.

More details of the three preseason games have not been released.

Commanders’ schedule

Sept. 10 – Arizona

Sept. 17 – at Denver

Sept. 24 – Buffalo

Oct. 1 – at Philadelphia

Oct. 5 (Thursday) – Chicago

Oct. 15 – at Atlanta

Oct. 22 – at New York Giants

Oct. 29 – Philadelphia

Nov. 5 – at New England

Nov. 12 – at Seattle

Nov. 19 – New York Giants

Nov. 23 (Thursday) – at Dallas

Dec. 3 – Miami

Dec. 10 – Bye

Dec. 17 – at Los Angeles Rams

Dec. 24 – at New York Jets

Dec. 31 – San Francisco

Jan. 7 – Dallas

As Richmond’s growth spurt continues to attract new businesses and residents, Anthony Bryant wants to guarantee that the community’s interests aren’t left behind.

The Church Hill resident is the newest president of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, which enables residents, businesses and nonprofit organizations to advocate for the safety, improvement and preservation of the region, its history and identity.

“Richmond is growing and sometimes heads get turned when the ‘shiny new thing’comes to town,” Mr. Bryant says. “We believe it’s important to advocate for an area like ours that’s so rich in history.”

Advocacy has been the association’s main focus since its inception. Some of the organization’s popular events include Richmond First Fridays Art Walk, Broad Appetit food festival, and community enhancement projects surrounding what has become known as Richmond’s Arts District. Streets in the district include Belvidere, Broad, Bank, Canal, Cary and the intersections at 14th, Franklin and Main streets. Some of the DNA’s business memberships include Little Nomad, Elegba Folklore Society, Ledbury, Gallery5 and Waller & Company Jewelers.

The DNA’s mission prompted Mr. Bryant’s interest in the group, which he joined a year after opening his business, Little Nomad, in June 2017. Little Nomad, 104 W. Broad St., sells children’s clothes, books and toys.

“I felt it was important for young Black people to see someone like me in this role,” says Mr. Bryant when asked why he took on the job last year. “I also feel that I’m able to bring folks together, who normally may not be in the same room to encourage