UKHTTC Summer blog numero 2

Mr Scott Hartley exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding individual and fan of the Washington Commanders.

In my view, he was an exemplary choice for the Commanders International Fan of the Year. This amiable nature is matched by his extensive knowledge of the game, particularly regarding the burgundy & gold.

As the co-host of the One Point Safety Show podcast alongside Andy Lockhart, Scott provides insightful discussions about the Commanders. Additionally, he has been a strong supporter of UKHTTC and contributes when his schedule permits.

Christian Burt, the founder of UKHTTC, interviewed Scott to gain insights into his experience as the International Fan of the Year and his passion for all things related to the Commanders.

On International Fandom & Identity

As an international fan, do you feel the Commanders actively engage supporters outside the U.S., or have you had to seek out the community yourself?

A bit of a mixed bag answer here, I have had to seek out the community within the UK and Europe but attending the games at home has no doubt helped build the bridge to the US fanbase and the community. I think the NFL are content with the UK as a market to watch the game. I am of the belief they feel they have “cracked the market”. This was evident as all the picks read out at the draft from International Fans of the Year from the UK were either on commercial break or at an interview. The upcoming markets in the NFL e.g. Brazil, Spain, Australia, Ireland were all live on US TV.

How do you explain your passion for the Commanders to people in the UK who may still view American football as a niche sport?

It’s still difficult to explain to the non-fan as the time of the games proves difficult to gauge attention. I explain that this is still and always will be “Americas Game” but let them know that every team has a UK fanbase, and that the love for the game and this team, has brought me genuine friendship and a group that I can chop up the trials and tribulations with every Sunday.

Has your fandom ever sparked debates or curiosity where you live? (e.g., "Why this team?")

Not really – but what I have seen is that even in a small town I live in I work with 3 Commanders fans and whenever we see each other we are always talking about the team. As the team has got better, especially last year, people will see me in the Supermarket with a Daniels jersey on and stop or comment on how good a season it was.

On Game-Day Rituals & Challenges

What’s the most extreme thing you’ve done to watch a Commanders game live (time zones, work conflicts, etc.)?

We hate the late games, but I fear there will be more this season, these things happen when you become a good team. The strangest time zone game was the Bears game last season with the Hail Mary play. I was on a family holiday in Turkey at the time so an already late night for the international fan base was 2 hours further on. At around 03:00 the whole hotel knew we had won in a spectacular way.

Work conflicts can get in the way but I tend to wait until the schedule release and work what annual leave or flexible working I can do to ensure I have the time off.

Do you have a spot where international NFL fans gather, or is your gameday experience mostly solo/online?

My game day is mainly solo or watch along online with the podcast crew. We have a very active WhatsApp group with lots of voice notes going back and forward. I do have to make sure I am set up early as my wife will want to watch the Jacksonville Jaguars game on the TV if I’m not quick.

UK draft parties have taken place in the past and getting together to watch a game is something we need to do as a community.

What’s a Commanders loss that actually kept you up at night?

Every game does this, if we win it takes a while to calm down and relax, if we lose, I start thinking things over and what plays could have been better executed. One that stands out from last season was the Dallas home game an absolute rollercoaster. I am very good at getting to Tuesday, in the next week and moving on and looking forward to the next week.

On Being International Fan of the Year and UK growth

Beyond the title, what’s the best interaction(s) you’ve had with the team that surprised you?

The draft this year was sensational and being able to make a pick for the team (Pick 205 Kain Madrano LB UCLA) was a crazy moment.

The pit of my stomach knotted as we got to pick 202, an NFL production rep with a headset picked me out and off backstage I went again. A walk through to the draft room and the pick is announced on the screen the card is printed phonetically; in case you can’t pronounce the name. I am told “go out there and have fun, but no profanity”. The next thing, I am next to curtain on the side of the stage pick in hand.

A 5 second countdown and I walk out on stage with a big breath. In the background, I hear announced to the world, “to announce the next pick please welcome The Washington Commanders International Fan of the Year, Scott Hartley”.

I walk out to a loud round of applause, and I can’t focus as there are what seem like hundreds of cameras and bright lights. I try to look out at the crowd but honestly, I couldn’t see the end of them all, looking like ants. I thank the Commanders Organisation, and my wife and family then shout out the podcasts, which is the most important thing.

I can’t fully comprehend how a middle-aged bloke from North West England who has a laugh on podcasts got the chance to do this. To the NFL and Commanders organisation, I will forever be grateful for allowing me to do that.

Is there any pressure to be the “voice” for other international fans? What would you tell the Commanders FO about their global fanbase?

I don’t necessary, feel any pressure to be the voice of the international community of fans. I did notice that a bit more was expected of you when you’re representing the franchise as International Fan of the Year. The fan base is loyal and rabid going back from the 1980’s Redskins to the current team the fan base shows out and supports the team.

Was there a specific story or moment you share about your experience in Green Bay during the NFL Draft 2025?

I would say 2 moments stand out.

The first one was on night one of the draft. At pick 27 an NFL executive came across and said “are you Scott, come with me”. The intrigue kicked in. As I walk backstage, I can still see some of the prospects sat in the green room awaiting the all-important call that would change their life. Maxwell Hairston (The Buffalo Bills 1st round selection at pick 30) saw me walking past and gave me a fist bump and said hello which was a bit odd but made me smile.

I then walk into what looked like a tent backstage. Inside the tent were a rack of jerseys all with the number 1 printed on for every team in the NFL.

I was asked to put the jersey on the printing press. And if the prospect we picked was in the green room I would get the opportunity to hand the jersey to the NFL Commissioner on stage. There were only 3 prospects left in the green room and none of them were likely to be taken by the Commanders, so I knew this would be a long shot. Maxwell Hairston, Jihaad Campbell and Jalen Milroe were the only prospects left.

The clock started and the communication manager for the NFL spoke with me and said this is a circus. All teams are told to “hold on with picking”, within the first round, to build the suspense. He told me at the point the team calls in the pick there is a 4 second delay from the time the phone goes down to him finding out who it is.

At 7 minutes I hear a noise “the pick is in” and Josh Conerly Jr, Offensive Tackle of Oregon is chosen. My initial thoughts are “that’s, not an Edge Rusher”, but I understood the pick and was happy with shoring up the O-line to have potential bookend tackles for the next 5-10 years. 

The Communications Manager looked at me and said “watch the clock, this won’t come in until about 2 minutes to go” – sure enough with 1:29 left on the clock the pick came in. He turned to me and said, you do know for the last 6 minuets and the next 4 minuets you are the only fan in the world, who knows who you have picked. It suddenly dawned on me that yes, he was right, I was the only fan who knew we had picked Josh Conerly Jr. 4 minutes later the Commissioner hits the stage and as he hits his first step on stage a button is pressed that releases the information to the NFL Media so they can tweet out the pick.

The second would be how friendly and brilliant the Green Bay people were. The welcome and niceness of all was brilliant to see “Green Bay you did yourself proud”.

What’s one piece of Commanders memorabilia you own that has the best backstory?

I am not the biggest memorabilia collector, I would say my favourite piece is an RG3 signed jersey as it was all his fault I became a fan.

I have a signed football from the 2016 team that came to the UK for the Cincinnati game; my best friend was working at Gatwick Airport as the Air- side Border Force Officer and had to board the Redskins plane to ensure the players and staff passed through UK immigration. He said, “my best friend is a huge Redskins fan and couldn’t get a ticket, so unless you sign this ball, you’re not getting into the UK”. I have about 25 autographs on the ball (Thank you Chris).

If you could add one tradition from UK culture to a Commanders gameday, what would it be?

I would add a dedicated “away section” to stadiums to allow noise and atmosphere to come into the stadium.