Thanks to a well-liked cartoon, a digital town square with more than 22,000 members in the center of Frederick, Maryland, is igniting its yearly NFL season argument (featured photo).Herbie Balboa, a local, started the Facebook group Frederick Unplugged, which has grown into a focal point for community discourse. Its most recent feature aims to spark conversation.
Balboa’s cartoons offer a funny look at local life, drawing inspiration from the iconic comic strip Bloom County. He says, “I wanted to bring that style of humor to Frederick County because I grew up reading Bloom County.” Local elections, the new municipal flag, the Flying Cows basketball team, and the planned entertainment tax are just a few of the many issues that the series has addressed. This time, the topic is the NFL and the teams that the people of Frederick County cheer for.
The Commanders lead with 50%, followed by the Ravens at 30%, the Steelers at 10%, the Eagles at 7%, and the Cowboys at 3%, according to Balboa’s most recent cartoon. “To be honest, I think the majority of people would strongly disagree,” he remarked. The animation serves as a means of determining the group’s fan base and encouraging participation. As you can see below, we have already talked about Montgomery County’s home team problem.
Though he accepts a more complex reality for Frederick County, his personal fandom is linked to his roots in Philadelphia, where he was born in North Philadelphia. Balboa remembers his late uncle in Philadelphia who was unable to see the Eagles’ now-cherished Super Bowl victory. But when Balboa was asked to select one home team for Frederick County, he went with the Commanders.
He thinks the Commanders have better historical and cultural ties to the region, even if the Ravens are heavily represented. Balboa believes the DMV has been lacking a feeling of pride and tangible excitement for some time, but the latest excitement surrounding quarterback Jayden Daniels is bringing it back. He ends by saying, “They are contenders again,” which speaks to many devoted supporters and is igniting the region’s newfound enthusiasm.
Balboa is a transplant to Maryland and a retired Air Force veteran who served on several tours, with Buckley Space Force Base in Colorado serving as his final duty station. Born in North Philadelphia, he started Frederick Unplugged to keep in touch with his neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the organization has developed into a significant venue for local news, business highlights, humor, and entertainment. It is also where the Frederick County cartoon series got its start.
