Every superhero has a unique origin story, and the Fan Man’s begins with Hurricane Milton ripping the roof off of Tropicana Field.
Neil MacDonald, who was already a Tampa Bay Rays superfan, called the events unfolding in early October 2024 traumatizing. Like many locals, he was “taken aback” while reflecting on the loss of life, property and memories caused by back-to-back hurricanes.
However, the “human spirit to rebuild” is just as powerful as Mother Nature, MacDonald said. He began selling fabric pieces of the Trop’s dome, retrieved from a flooded St. Petersburg street by his son, and donating 100% of the proceeds to local nonprofits assisting storm victims.
Sports broadcasting behemoth ESPN profiled MacDonald, and Tampa Bay outlets followed. Fan Man was born out of a desire to keep that positive momentum going and inspire others to uplift their neighbors.
“I felt there should be some sort of a silver lining – maybe a symbol,” MacDonald said. “Some sign of hope and perseverance to remind people that it will be a long road, but we will move forward and rebuild.”
While he does not fight crime, MacDonald, now retired, was a law enforcement officer in his home state of New York. The Fan Man patrols area sporting events and Ferg’s Sports Bar and Grill rather than dark alleys.
MacDonald became a frequent customer at Ferg’s after attending the inaugural Rays game across the street in 1998. He said it was “greatly disappointing” to know that the sports bar, a St. Petersburg fixture before baseball arrived, would suffer from the team spending its 2025 season in Tampa.
Mark Ferguson (left), owner of Ferg’s Sports Bar and Grill, and Neil “Fan Man” MacDonald. Photo by Mark Parker.
“A life of its own”
MacDonald asked Mark Ferguson, owner of Ferg’s, how he could help offset the impact of losing the Rays. Ferguson suggested becoming “our Fan Man.”
The role was relatively simple and ideally suited for a lifelong sports aficionado. MacDonald would attend sporting events, highlight the atmosphere at Ferg’s, return to what now serves as Fan Man’s headquarters and mingle with customers.
With the help of an extremely supportive wife, Camela, MacDonald “put together a few Fan Man costumes.” He now has 24 – despite giving away 15 capes.
Fan Man became a fixture at Rays games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. Newspapers and broadcasters nationwide highlighted his opening day poster that read, “Welcome to Tampicana Field.”
People began lining up for pictures and autographs. Camela said he should sign as “Fan Man.”
“The Fan Man persona took on a life of its own,” MacDonald said. “So then I started playing the part.”
The family car became the “Fanmobile,” complete with branded logos. MacDonald started handing out Fan Man trading cards.
“He jumped on it,” Ferguson said. “He loves getting in front of the camera and talks to everybody. He’s been a great asset. And it’s just because we gave him a chance to promote Ferg’s.”
Neil MacDonald (left) has given away 15 custom capes. Photo provided.
Fan Man is now ubiquitous at what USA Today subsequently crowned as the nation’s best sports bar. MacDonald was eager to augment the experience and help attract customers due to Ferguson’s philanthropic support for underprivileged youth athletes.
“If they can do that, the least I could do is go put on a cape, uniform and go around his sports bar and smile, give away baseball cards and have fun watching games,” MacDonald said.
He creates customized capes for “people I admire in their line of work,” such as veterans, teachers and essentially anyone who exudes superhero virtues in their daily lives.
“We are all interchangeable,” MacDonald said. “We’re really all the same – making the Fan Man family bigger with everyone promoting good deeds. Words are meaningless unless backed up by action.
“It’s all about sharing and giving.”
MacDonald said he has spent about $5,000 on costume supplies and an untold amount on tickets. Fan Man began appearing at Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Lightning games, and regularly attends charity events.
His positivity also extends to opposing fans. “You’ve got to have the other team to play ball,” is a Fan Man catchphrase.
MacDonald, who has regularly attended sporting events for the past 50 years, described his superhero persona as “every full-of-life fan or mascot I ever encountered, all bottled up into one.” He said Fan Man would live on “for the next 20 years, until I drop dead or until I pass the baton to my grandson.”
His overarching mission is not to ward off villains, although the retired officer pledged to defend anyone in need. MacDonald wants to help a million people in some way and is “trying really hard” to accomplish that feat through individual interactions.
“I’m not doing anything out of the ordinary – other people go to fundraisers,” MacDonald added. “Other people say wonderful things and share good times with their friends. I just have a cape, that’s the only difference. When you take my cape off and put it on you, or anybody else in the world, we’re all the same.
“Maybe I’m bringing to light that we should all do a little more good deeds and be a smidgen nicer to each other. That’s all.”
Neil MacDonald (left) transitioned from Fan Man to Santa Claus – and decorated and donated “Charlie Brown Christmas trees” – around the holidays. Mark Ferguson, owner of Ferg’s Sports Bar and Grill, credited his ability to connect with customers. Photo by Mark Parker.