05 January 2024 , 16:07
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Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney was left emotional after former Super Bowl-winning coach Paul McCord expressed his love for the Red Dragons after a visit to the Racecourse Ground.
After playing his part behind the scenes in the Baltimore Ravens' victorious triumph in 2001, the former assistant special teams coach still appears as enthused as ever by sport. However, his new love can be found some 4,000 miles away in North Wales after becoming hooked with the League Two outfit after watching ' Welcome to Wrexham '.
He first visited the club's historic ground to watch the National League champions in action during the run-into their title win versus Southend United in March. Since then, he has followed Wrexham in multiple locations on both sides of the Atlantic, alongside wife Mindy and son LJ..
The Florida residents took trips to see their adopted team during stops of their US tour in the summer Chapel Hill, Los Angeles, San Diego and Philadelphia. Now, former Jacksonville Jaguars staffer McCord has recounted his most recent visit to see Wrexham on New Year's Day.
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"Being here in Wrexham to celebrate the new year meant so much," he told the Athletic after witnessing the Dragons dispatch of Barrow in a 4-1 demolition job. Phil Parkinson's men further strengthened their promotion credentials on the day, with ex-NFL coach McCord witness to a Steven Fletcher hattrick.
Speaking of his family's feelings towards the Welsh city and its people, he continued: "We’ve fallen in love with the place and the people. In a world that can be very cynical, to have a place that’s authentic and full of gratitude makes you want to be here. That’s what drew us back. What got us here in March was the documentary but the people are what brought us back."
Taking to Twitter /X, club co-chairman McElhenney could not hide his delight after learning of McCord's newfound love for the Red Dragons. Quoting the Super Bowl XXXV-winning coach's joyful account of attending the Racecourse Ground, McElhenney posted a holding-back tears emoji, adding: "Me too coach. Me too."
Paul McCord and his family have enjoyed their trips to Wrexham and have fallen in love with the area (underdog_paul/X)It is clear that the experience of following Wrexham has united the whole family, with the former Ravens coach's partner Mindy's love for the club palpable. Explaining why the couple have been able to identify with the club over the past year, she explained how they both felt kinship with the people of North Wales.
“Paul was the one who said, ‘Let’s watch this documentary’, the University of South Florida lacrosse coach said. "He’s writing a book on underdog stories and the show had that element. Straight away, we could both relate to the story. I loved the ‘blue-collar town’ element."
Mindy added: "My dad was an electrician and my grandfather a coal miner, having come over from Yugoslavia. I also loved the community aspect, and particularly how authentic the fan engagement is at Wrexham."