The Redskins Blog

80th Tour Stop A Homecoming For Royster

Being able to play professional football just an hour away from his hometown gives Redskins’ running back Evan Royster plenty of opportunities to visit his old stomping grounds.

So it comes as no surprise that Friday’s Redskins 80th Anniversary Thank You Tour stop at Westfield High School in Chantilly, Va. – Royster’s alma mater – was a pleasant homecoming for the second-year running back.

“It’s very strange,” Royster said about going back to his high school. “I still feel like I could be in high school. I walk into the school and I still feel like I should be going to class or something.”

Royster – who went on to star at Penn State – looked off in the distance at his old high school football field and recalled winning a regional championship there a couple weeks before claiming a state title. He also remembers his high school teammates, like Eddie Royal – currently of the San Diego Chargers.

“There’s just so many great memories from being in the stadium,” he said.

Royster also has one additional incentive to stop by his alma mater – his mother is a teacher there.

“I come back and visit my mom all the time,” he said. “She always asks me to come and visit her class and they want me to come and sign autographs and everything. You know, I’m happy to do it for my high school and for my mom.”

And every time he leaves, Royster checks his Twitter to see the love pouring out from his former high school.

“The funny thing about it is when I leave, I get on Twitter and all these people are tweeting about how I was in the school,” Royster said. “Yeah, this is my home. This is where I grew up.”

Royster was joined at the tour stop by Redskins’ defensive tackle Chris Neild, who said he doesn’t get back to his alma mater, Stoudsburg High School in Pennsylvania, as much as he would like.

“I’m here now, so I guess I have to call this home now,” Neild said.

Royster and Neild worked the crowd at Westfield High School, which was hosting the VHSL Group AAA Spring Jubilee in Chantilly – an impressive event that included state tournament high school games in soccer, baseball and softball.

Neild even had the opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a Virginia state softball semifinal game – a pitch that couldn’t have been placed any better:

Here’s a few photos from Friday’s 80th Anniversary Thank You Tour stop in Chantilly:

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