READING, Pa. – They’re rolling out the green carpet in Reading for the Pennsylvania Benjamins.
“It’s a fun sport to watch. You’re close to the action,” said David Farrar, Santander Arena general manager. “The guys fly around. There’s big hits.”
It’s been more than a decade since the arena saw indoor football action and that’ll all change Sunday as the 1-0 Pennsylvania Benjamins Arena Football Team hosts the Utah Great 8’s.
“To be honest, these past couple days, we’ve just been really focused to get on the field and go make a statement and bring a win to the home stadium,” said Brendan Nichols, defensive tackle. “We gotta protect the house.”
The crew at the arena is adjusting to the new field ahead of a busy week.
Tom Rader | WFMZ-TV
“We’ll have ice down one day, turf down the other. Next Saturday, we have a graduation in the morning and ice down for hockey at night for game five, hopefully,” Farrar explained. “It’s a busy time for the operations crew, but we got a great crew and they enjoy the challenges of the next couple of weeks.”
The Benjamins are busy practicing for their home opener and getting out in the community at Glenside Elementary School.
“We want the kids to know it’s more than just football,” Nichols said. “It’s okay to be a professional athlete, but it’s okay to be a doctor, it’s okay to be a lawyer, it’s okay to be garbage man. They make a lot more than people think. That’s a career. It’s okay to be a mechanic, but sports is a good way out.”
“I think it’s a really good opportunity for them to see what professional athletes can do for the community. We’ve already had kids asking questions,” added PE Teacher Brody Hackman. “They ask so many questions and they’re already talking to them about eating healthy.”