For more than 20 years, Dan Snyder has been the driving force behind the Washington Football franchise. While much has changed in that time, Snyder’s unyielding commitment to the team, the local area, and the greater good has remained unchanged.
Dan Snyder has been a fan of Washington Football all his life. He grew up attending games with his father, and even then, he says he dreamed of football glory. Years later, in 1999, he fulfilled his lifetime dream and bought the franchise. He immediately got to work.
As an avid fan of the game, Snyder was committed to first building a franchise that flourished on the field. He developed a keen eye for talent, and he understood how to help build a team for success. The proof of his success is in the numbers. In just 20 seasons, Snyder has managed to draft 13 players who were named to the All-Rookie Team. Moreover, at least five of his players were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That includes impressive names like Deion Sanders and Jason Taylor. There have been 27 Washington players in 53 Pro Bowl appearances during Snyder’s tenure.
Despite his passion for football, Snyder’s attention is also dedicated to the Washington area. He has been a longtime resident of the D.C. metro area, and while many owners face pressure to relocate, Daniel Snyder never seriously considered leaving. Washington has always been his community, and he has consistently invested in it when given the chance.
It was 2012 when Dan Snyder publicly reaffirmed his commitment to the region by announcing that the Washington Football franchise was here to stay. He kept the corporate headquarters in Virginia and actively invested in both the training facility in Loudoun County and FedExField in Maryland.
Under Dan Snyder’s supervision, the Bon Secours Training Center was completed. In 2013, the inaugural training season there was underway. Snyder took measures to welcome his players, his staff and his entire community. In the opening season, more than 165,000 fans were invited to visit and observe during training camp. The Inova Sports Performance Center has had numerous upgrades, with Snyder ensuring that the team’s athletes get access to the best training and support possible. This includes a renovated weight room, top-tier athletic training facilities, comfortable locker rooms, advanced hydrotherapy stations, convenient media availability and more.
The upgrades to FedExField have been even more impressive. Dan Snyder has invested a total of $100 million in the facility overall. The stadium can now seat 82,000 people, and Snyder improved the viewing experience by installing thousands of flat-screen televisions throughout the concourses. In 2010, Snyder oversaw the installation of new video boards in each endzone as well. These screens are 30 feet high, and they feature high-definition LED technology. Snyder also updated the game clocks, play clocks and all other video displays on the grounds.
As a lifelong football fan, Dan Snyder understands what it is like to come to the field for a game. Therefore, he has focused on overhauling the entirety of the facility so guests can have the best possible experience from start to finish. Under Snyder’s supervision, the stadium gates have been renovated, the parking facilities have been expanded, and Snyder even took measures to upgrade the stadium’s WIFI access while simultaneously investing in a robust Washington Football mobile application. With all this contributing to the franchise’s success, Washington Football is one of the most profitable and recognizable sports organizations in the world.
For some owners, these efforts would be enough. Dan Snyder, however, has a wider commitment to the greater good. Beyond his success on the field, Snyder is best known as one of the area’s most influential philanthropists. To support his charitable endeavors, he started the Washington Charitable Foundation. Since 2000, Snyder has used the foundation to deliver targeted charity relief to the community both near and far.
Locally, Dan Snyder has been a strong advocate for children. He has spearheaded numerous youth development programs. This includes more than 100 workshops in local schools focusing on reading, wellness and more. He has also been instrumental in expanding the Loads of Love program, which gives children in need access to critical laundry facilities. He also provided funds to local social justice groups and opened up FedExField as a testing facility at the start of the pandemic. Beyond the local community, Snyder has been active in disaster relief. He provided support to Haiti after Hurricane Matthew, and he delivered aid in the wake of the devastating 2004 tsunami. Read more about Dan Snyder, here.
With Snyder’s consistent commitment and tireless dedication, the future is bright for Washington Football and beyond.
Find more information about Snyder on https://apnews.com/DanSnyder