Wigan Warriors Celebrate Diverse Heritage at Challenge Cup Final
The recent Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium witnessed a heartwarming display of diversity as Wigan Warriors players proudly represented their various cultural roots. Sharp-eyed viewers spotted the USA flag on the ground, alongside those of several other nations, as the celebratory Warriors players paid homage to their birthplaces and heritage.
The American flag belonged to Tyler Dupree, whose maternal grandfather was the renowned blues singer “Champion Jack” Dupree, hailing from New Orleans. Dupree’s great uncle, Billy Joe Dupree, also had a successful career, winning the Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys in 1978.
Other flags celebrated in the Wembley sheds included those of:
- Lebanon (Abbas Miski)
- Samoa (Patrick Mago)
- Cameroon (Junior Nsemba & Sam Eseh)
- The Māori flag of New Zealand (Tiaki Chan)
- Australia (Adam Keighran)
- The Australian Aboriginal flag (Bevan French)
- Several England flags for the club’s homegrown players
Dupree, a current England international in rugby league, expressed his pride in representing his country while also acknowledging his American heritage. “I’m proud to play for England but I’m also proud of my family’s heritage in America as well,” he said. Dupree’s grandfather, “Champion Jack” Dupree, overcame the adversity of slavery, and the player hopes to honor his legacy by showcasing his pride in his American roots.
“Everything I do, I do for my mum,” he shared. “I know I’d never be able to repay her but just little stuff I do: I like to show her I’m grateful for everything she’s done and I just want to continue making her proud.”
Despite never having the chance to visit his family’s homeland, Dupree plans to do so in the future, accompanied by his mother and sister. “I’ve been to Florida but my plan was to go to America and travel around and see where my family are actually from, go to New Orleans and places like that. It is still a plan but I don’t know when that will be, but it will happen,” he added.
The Wigan powerhouse prop made his international debut for England last year and won his second cap in a recent victory over France. Dupree expressed his pride in representing his country, stating, “I’m proud to represent my country and I’m proud to represent where I’m from.”
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