Washington Fan Group Hog Farmers Helps Cancer Patients

Longtime Washington fans probably remember the "Hogettes," dressed up like Pigs' wearing dresses. These super fans were a staple until they retired in 2012. Now there's a new hog in town, and aside from looking for more diehard fans, the Hog Farmers have also been looking for ways to put smiles on children's faces.

SI's Kaitlin O'Toole is joined by Redskins' Report Chris Russell who had a chance to speak with the Hog Farmers and learn more about their mission of helping children and their community.

Read the full transcript below:

Kaitlin O'Toole: Joining me now from Redskins' Report is Chris Russell. Chris, it's more than just football with these groups. How similar is the mission for the Hog Farmers compared to the hog?

Chris Russell: Kaitlin, the Hogettes were a symbol of the Redskins Super Bowl glory and great fandom in the 70s, 80s, and into the early 90s and even until they retired in 2012. The Hog Farmers are a group of three guys that started off in a section at FedEx Field, part of a dwindling fan base, But they're so proud and more importantly, what they said their mission was: to raise money and to raise awareness for pediatric cancer patients. They support seven kids, seven families in the greater Washington D.C. area. By raising funds and the t-shirt that they came out with just recently is so cool. I mean, everybody can come up with a t-shirt, right? But this has side snaps on the side so that the pediatric cancer kid patients can actually wear it and they can get their medicine and they can get their treatment without having to take their shirt off. So I thought it was a really, really creative, and thoughtful idea on behalf of the Hog Farmers.

Kaitlin O'Toole: Absolutely. That's incredible. You kind of mentioned, Chris, there's this dwindling fan base happening in Washington. With the coronavirus, there may be no fans at all. So why is it so important to have groups like this?

Chris Russell: Well, and they're not the only one. The Hog Farmers, we should point out. So, like you're saying, there are multiple groups, but it's so important because when you have these small little groups that do good beyond football and beyond just drinking beer and tailgating and going to football games, it's for a good cause. It's something that other fans can be inspired by to do good and to support their football team, but to do good for somebody else and to celebrate football instead of, quite honestly, being angry or hostile about a loss or bad performance. At least you're doing something good for somebody else.

Chris Russell: I love this story so much. I love what they're doing for these pediatric children. Chris, thanks so much for your insight. I appreciate it.