Comedian Drew Lynch’s family and friends, with a little help from Indy Eleven, managed to pull together a unique gift for the comedian’s 30th birthday – a surprise visit to Grand Park Sports Complex on Wednesday morning to watch the Boys in Blue train.
“The first thing is intimidation, that’s always the first feeling, the first emotion and that pretty much sustains for my entire life,” the Indianapolis native joked when asked about his reaction to finding out he was going to take in a training session. “Underneath that it was excitement. I love soccer. I wish I was as good at soccer as how much I loved it.”
As the Boys in Blue played an intrasquad small-sided game, the America’s Got Talent Season 10 runner-up took it in from the sidelines while cheering for both sides. The Indiana native found shots from the likes of Jordan Hamilton and Manuel Arteaga astounding, and was amazed by the between-the-post antics of goalkeepers Jordan Farr and Eric Dick. What may have impressed Lynch most was the youth and talent of Ecris Revolorio, who participated in his first training session with the Eleven after inking a USL Academy Contract this past Monday. In fact, it led Lynch to think back to his own experience on the pitch as a youth.
“I was five and I was on the bench often, but we did get snack packs after the game,” Lynch reminisced. “My dad was the coach and it was a good call on his part to bench me. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make for the team. That was the oldest I actually played soccer. I played baseball and football growing up, but when I was five was when I played [soccer] and I guess I just never continued – and now my hips are tight.”
However, the comedian with over two million YouTube subscribers shook off the rust off his boots and hit the pitch after practice in style after being presented a customized Indy Eleven jersey by captain Ayoze and vice-captain Karl Ouimette. After passing around with the Boys in Blue for a couple of minutes, Lynch was challenged by the captains to a crossbar challenge, which also piqued Neveal Hackshaw’s interest. With some words of advice and a couple of examples from some seasoned professionals, Lynch stepped up and clanked one off the crossbar after a couple attempts.
“I hit it on the first time, the very first time I’ve ever hit the crossbar and I kicked it with my foot” Lynch joked, trying to shrug off his first few misses. “Everyone was sitting on the grass watching me do it and then it was a standing ovation when I hit it. It’s my first standing ovation as well; you want that after a comedy show, but if you’re not that good at comedy you can just hit the crossbar and people will celebrate you.”
Not only did Lynch enjoy being up at training, but Indiana’s Team enjoyed having him there to lighten the mood after an intense return to training for Indiana’s Team ahead of this Saturday’s match against OKC Energy FC. The Boys in Blue were quick to crack smiles and jokes with Lynch after training, and even took some time to pet Lynch’s service dog, Stella, a staple of Lynch’s digital content.
Having smacked the woodwork and now considered a seasoned professional among the veteran players in attendance, Lynch had just one question to answer in the post-training media scrum: Which is harder … comedy or soccer?
“Both are hard. You have to be ok with being in front of people, I guess. Athletes are just insane because you have to be at the top of your game all the time,” Lynch said, debating his answer adding, “If comedians aren’t you can just kind of laugh it off or make a joke or get booed. I would say it’s probably hard to be a soccer player.”
With his jersey on his back and a smile on his face, Lynch ended his time at training confident that the Boys in Blue will have a strong outing against Energy FC and beyond. To see more of Lynch’s comedy stylings, including where to catch him on stage this summer and fall and links to his hilarious social media feeds, visit drewlynch.com.
Comedian Drew Lynch’s family and friends, with a little help from Indy Eleven, managed to pull together a unique gift for the comedian’s 30th birthday – a surprise visit to Grand Park Sports Complex on Wednesday morning to watch the Boys in Blue train.
“The first thing is intimidation, that’s always the first feeling, the first emotion and that pretty much sustains for my entire life,” the Indianapolis native joked when asked about his reaction to finding out he was going to take in a training session. “Underneath that it was excitement. I love soccer. I wish I was as good at soccer as how much I loved it.”
As the Boys in Blue played an intrasquad small-sided game, the America’s Got Talent Season 10 runner-up took it in from the sidelines while cheering for both sides. The Indiana native found shots from the likes of Jordan Hamilton and Manuel Arteaga astounding, and was amazed by the between-the-post antics of goalkeepers Jordan Farr and Eric Dick. What may have impressed Lynch most was the youth and talent of Ecris Revolorio, who participated in his first training session with the Eleven after inking a USL Academy Contract this past Monday. In fact, it led Lynch to think back to his own experience on the pitch as a youth.
“I was five and I was on the bench often, but we did get snack packs after the game,” Lynch reminisced. “My dad was the coach and it was a good call on his part to bench me. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make for the team. That was the oldest I actually played soccer. I played baseball and football growing up, but when I was five was when I played [soccer] and I guess I just never continued – and now my hips are tight.”
However, the comedian with over two million YouTube subscribers shook off the rust off his boots and hit the pitch after practice in style after being presented a customized Indy Eleven jersey by captain Ayoze and vice-captain Karl Ouimette. After passing around with the Boys in Blue for a couple of minutes, Lynch was challenged by the captains to a crossbar challenge, which also piqued Neveal Hackshaw’s interest. With some words of advice and a couple of examples from some seasoned professionals, Lynch stepped up and clanked one off the crossbar after a couple attempts.
“I hit it on the first time, the very first time I’ve ever hit the crossbar and I kicked it with my foot” Lynch joked, trying to shrug off his first few misses. “Everyone was sitting on the grass watching me do it and then it was a standing ovation when I hit it. It’s my first standing ovation as well; you want that after a comedy show, but if you’re not that good at comedy you can just hit the crossbar and people will celebrate you.”
Not only did Lynch enjoy being up at training, but Indiana’s Team enjoyed having him there to lighten the mood after an intense return to training for Indiana’s Team ahead of this Saturday’s match against OKC Energy FC. The Boys in Blue were quick to crack smiles and jokes with Lynch after training, and even took some time to pet Lynch’s service dog, Stella, a staple of Lynch’s digital content.
Having smacked the woodwork and now considered a seasoned professional among the veteran players in attendance, Lynch had just one question to answer in the post-training media scrum: Which is harder … comedy or soccer?
“Both are hard. You have to be ok with being in front of people, I guess. Athletes are just insane because you have to be at the top of your game all the time,” Lynch said, debating his answer adding, “If comedians aren’t you can just kind of laugh it off or make a joke or get booed. I would say it’s probably hard to be a soccer player.”
With his jersey on his back and a smile on his face, Lynch ended his time at training confident that the Boys in Blue will have a strong outing against Energy FC and beyond. To see more of Lynch’s comedy stylings, including where to catch him on stage this summer and fall and links to his hilarious social media feeds, visit drewlynch.com.
