Kyron Shabazz
By Francis Taylor, Executive Editor
On Sunday, September 10, 2023, SoFI Stadium was nearly sold out as nearly 70,000 fans converged on the stadium to witness the season opener between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Miami Dolphins. The word fan is derived from the word fanatics and Chargers fans of all ages and races demonstrated their fanaticism with painted faces, jerseys, caps and other Chargers paraphernalia, as they rooted for their team to win the game.
The Chargers got off to an early start by recovering a fumble on the Dolphins five-yard line and advancing 95 yards in their opening possession for the first touchdown of the game. From that early beginning it was clear that the game was going to be a close shoot-out between two fairly, evenly matched teams.
As the game progressed, by halftime the Dolphins wee slightly ahead with a 20-17 point lead. However, one of the Charger’s youngest fans, Kyron Shabazz, was confident that his favorite team would win the game. Shabazz, a 10-year-old fifth grade student, who has been attending Chargers games since he was seven years old, predicted that his favorite player, Quarterback Justin Herbert, would work his offensive magic and find a way to deliver the “W” for the Chargers.
The game remained close through the 3rd quarter with the Chargers slightly ahead with a score of 27-24 and the Chargers still ahead 34-31 with three- and one-half minutes remaining in the 4th quarter. But, in the final minutes of the quarter, Miami pulled ahead, without leaving enough time for the Chargers to respond. The final score was 36-34, Miami.
Despite the close game and the loss, Shabazz said the Chargers are still his favorite team and Herbert, is his favorite player.
