Soul back home after long hiatus

The last time the Soul took to the field in South Philly, their arena was called the Wachovia Center and Barack Obama was still a senator from Illinois. That was 1,008 days ago.

Fast forward to last Friday’s home return at the Wells Fargo Center — and the home debut of rookie Kent Richardson.

Richardson, a wide receiver/defensive back, is one of the Soul’s 22 new players. His name didn’t make the box score in Friday’s 51-48 loss, but that’s OK. Richardson is patiently waiting for an opportunity.

“Anytime you’re starting a new league or anything new, you know you can’t lead right off the bat. … you have to sit back and watch the great leaders that are there already,” he said.

Richardson learned that lesson in a brief stint in the NFL. He participated in the Green Bay Packers’ rookie camp in 2010. Even he didn’t anticipate them winning the Lombardi Trophy.

“I knew that they had the talent and they could do it, I didn’t know this was their year,” Richardson said. “I’m happy for them. It was unfortunate that I couldn’t stay longer.
I have high hopes and dreams that I’ll be back there one day.”

With the NFL facing a labor dispute among its players and owners, there is optimism for NFL fans, according to Richardson.

“I feel personally they won’t let America go that long without football,” Richardson said.