u/CarolinaReaper704

The first batch of the 2026-27 Reaper pucks! This year features Reaper with another North Carolina resident and a brushed metal finish.

I know its been common knowledge for a while now. But there was a part of me that has been trying to tell myself that there is still hope of a 2027 season.

But as the days have gone by the reality has sunk in. Call me a fool to have even hoped. But that has been par for the course of being an Anthem fan.

I've been a fan of this team for 3 years, it has yielded 2 wins the entire time. I confess to you that ny knowledge of the sport of rugby is remedial at best. I didn't grow up with it, but just like every other team here in Charlotte, I showed up for them.

Anyone who knows me, knows I do the Reaper character for everY professional team in town...literally EVERYONE. Panthers, Hornets Charlotte FC, Independence, Checkers, Chaos, Crown, Crown Legacy, Ascent, Gold Rush...and of course Anthem.

Anthem was special because it was a team I could say I rooted for since day 1. Yea, it was kinda slapped together, and I only knew of it because the first year front office staff was borrowed from Ascent/Independence. But I felt like that brought a portion of the fan base together. We were all learning this thing as a group.

And as quickly as it came, it seems to have gone away. 3 years, two wins, but a lot of fun. I just wanted to say thank you rugby fans. I hope maybe someday there can be a return to rugby in Charlotte. If anyone here follows any other sports here in Charlotte, or is passing through Charlotte following another team playing here, I'll probably be around, so look for me.

I hope the MLR sticks around. And this is just see you later, and not a permanent goodbye. I'm a fan of fans more than anything. And honestly, the rugby fans I met who came to Charlotte to support their team are probably the best away fans I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.

Until next time MLR.

Carolina Reaper

Kinda crazy because Furniture Row (tho arguement can be made for Front Row too) is the only real success story of a back marker becoming a contender since the turn of the millennium. And now you have Spire doing it all over again, starting off as a back marker s&p kinda team to a team that is winning races and contending consistently