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October 16th, 2017, a day etched in the minds of many Columbus Crew SC fans as the worst day in team history. It was the day that Sports Illustrated writer Grant Wahl broke a story that Crew SC investor/operator Anthony Precourt announced his intention to relocate the Black & Gold to Austin, Texas, barring the construction of a downtown stadium.
Many events have since transpired since that fateful night, most notably the creation of the Save The Crew movement. On Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, at 1:03pm “Save The Crew” became, for all intents and purposes, “Saved The Crew.”
We ALL did this. Together.#SaveTheCrew #SavedTheCrew pic.twitter.com/JB0VoIkboT
— Save The Crew (@Save_The_Crew) October 12, 2018
What did this cryptic message mean? Was Crew SC being sold to local ownership? Fans and media members waited on pins and needles to find out what it all meant. At 5:00 p.m., just as many people were leaving work to head home for the weekend, the official announcement was released.
THIS IS THE STATEMENT YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR. #SaveDTheCrew https://t.co/WXMzOtUwaw
— J.D. Smith (@DegenerateTBone) October 12, 2018
The rumors were true, Cleveland Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam are taking part in negotiations for Crew SC to keep the team in Central Ohio. As one could imagine the news was met with tremendous fanfare.
There's something poetic in seeing the Browns, an organization and fanbase who knows what it's like to have their team ripped away from them, have a hand in saving the Crew. Great job to everyone involved! #SavedTheCrew #OhioAgainstTheWorld
— Andrew Gauder (@a_gauder) October 12, 2018
Very
— GCGBAG (@gcgbag96) October 12, 2018
Truly
OURS,#SaveDTheCrew
IT’S OVER. TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW! #SavedTheCrew
— Karen Crognale (@kcrognale) October 12, 2018
We saved the Crew!#SaveTheCrew #SaveDTheCrew #Massive #ColumbusCrew #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/UWYucqITVf
— Nathan Brown (@783nate) October 12, 2018
When I told my son about #crewsc and that we #SaveDtheCrew he told me that’s awesome! See it’s about the kids!!! pic.twitter.com/w6dOkAeeuH
— Becky Boughan (@beckersboop) October 12, 2018
Columbus NEVER backs down. Columbus NEVER gives up.
— Matt Pfeffer (@PfefferFeff) October 12, 2018
Columbus is H⚽️ME.
So proud to be an Ohioan today.#SavedTheCrew pic.twitter.com/OpSh4ned0d
Former players, members of the media and local celebrities expressed their satisfaction with the news of a new ownership coming to Crew SC.
Well deserved. Congratulations, Columbus. #home #SaveDTheCrew
— Matt Lampson (@LampStrong) October 12, 2018
I could f’in cry right now. #SaveDtheCrew
— Dante Washington (@DanteWashington) October 12, 2018
Amazing news!!! #SavedTheCrew ⚽️
— Cam Atkinson (@CamAtkinson13) October 12, 2018
Happy to hear the Crew are almost certainly staying in Columbus after all. History and tradition counts. #SavedTheCrew
— Ian Darke (@IanDarke) October 12, 2018
So very happy for #CrewSC fans and the city of Columbus that one of the MLS original franchises appears staying where it belongs.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) October 12, 2018
As for the #SavedTheCrew campaign … you people are MASSIVE!
I truly cannot believe it. Dreams do come true! Long live the Crew! #SavedTheCrew https://t.co/vnDQwfzcMA
— Mark Titus (@clubtrillion) October 12, 2018
361 days.
It was a long drawn out fight, but in the end the good guys won. Columbus, you deserve to celebrate. This is a historical moment in sports. Remember this day, because you’ll recount it to your family and friends many times over. Football is coming staying home, and that home is Columbus, Ohio.
Don’t let anyone tell you different.