From Fan To Family
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by Andy Seeley
Meredith Muizers has taken her love for football to the next level, becoming a dedicated fan of the Memphis Showboats. Growing up around football, Muizers’ journey to one of the most passionate fans of the Memphis Showboats showcases her passion, community spirit, and unique connection to the players that makes the United Football League so special.
“I love football. I've grown up with it,” Muizers said of her childhood in Yazoo City, Miss. “My father and the family would always play games at holidays and stuff. I played with the neighborhood kids because I had an older brother and just wanted to tag along, so I always played.”
This early love for the game set the stage for her excitement when Memphis gained a professional football team.
Meredith vividly remembers the moment when she heard about the Memphis Showboats playing the 2023 season.
“I remember I was at dinner at Chili's,” she said. “My husband and I saw it on TV. I was like, ‘Oh my God, we're getting a football team. Well, we've got to get tickets.’”
With the season ticket announcement fresh in her mind, she set a countdown timer on her phone.
“As soon as the alarm went off, I was online and got season tickets,” she said.
Muizers’ enthusiasm has only grown after her two seasons in the stands at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium cheering on her team.
“If I could buy (seasont tickets) for the next five years in advance, I would,” she said. “We love it, absolutely love it. I'm just so engrossed with it. I love getting out there and having a great time. I've met some incredible people."
Among the “incredible people” she has met is John Atkins Sr., who has played defensive line for the Showboats since the 2023 season. One of the benefits of being a UFL fan is the unique access to players, allowing more chances to interact with members of their team.
“I love the sport, but I always find a person to cheer for,” Muizers explained. “I watched him that first game and went, ‘Yep, that's my guy.’ He was so passionate and enthusiastic about it. He loved it. He was having fun, and that’s what I loved about him.”
She began following Atkins on social media platforms, showing up at games wearing his number 99 and yelling to him from the stands to make sure the big fella knew she was there rooting him on throughout the 2023 season.
At a pep rally before the 2024 season, Muizers introduced herself to Atkins.
“I walked up to him and said, ‘Hey, I'm Meredith.’ He laughed and said, ‘I know exactly who you are,’ and he gave me a big hug because he knows I'm always cheering for him.”
Atkins signed the shirt she was wearing that evening, but made a promise to get her a better autograph at some point. Muizers was thrilled to have met her favorite player and gotten an autograph.
Following the season finale and a victory over the Houston Roughnecks, season ticket holders were invited onto the field for photos and to mingle with the team. Atkins made a beeline for Muizers and came through on his preseason promise to get her a better autograph.
“We got to be on the field with them afterwards,” Muizers recalled. “That was electric to me. It was just great. And John gave me his game-winning jersey and autographed it on the field that night. I cried. I was so excited.”
For Atkins, his bond with Muizers is just as meaningful.
“When I see (her wearing) 99 in the stands, I get happy because I know someone’s there watching me,” he said. “It’s big for her to be there supporting the team and me. I have nothing but love for Miss Meredith. She’s basically part of my family now. Like my wife even knows her, my whole family knows who Miss Meredith is.”
Muizers’ passion isn’t confined to the stands of Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. She actively works to spread the word about the Showboats throughout the MidSouth.
“I tell people it's just fun to go out and cheer, yell, holler, scream, dance, do whatever you wanna do and have fun with it,” she said. “And you meet some of the best people there. You don't meet a stranger when you go.”
Her love for the team is evident in everything she does.
“I’ve got the Showboats all over my car, I’m wearing gear, I’ve got some bracelets made up, and I’m gonna be passing them out,” Muizers said. “Everyone I talk to, I tell them to come check us out, they’re gonna have fun.”