Ian 'Big E' Berger, New York redeye fans, others make Dolphins predictions at training camp

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2 days ago

MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins fans showed up in droves for Day 4 of training camp on July 26, bringing mini-helmets, footballs and T-shirts as they awaited signatures from their favorite players.
After practice ended, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, running back De'Von Achane, and others obliged those in attendance, sweeping through the wave of fans calling their names and extending would-be memorabilia.
Achane, who wore an orange jersey as the previous practice's "player of the day," met with the Dolphins' new "Orange Jersey Fan of the Day," a symbol of the first day of fan attendance at training camp.
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Superfan Ian 'Big E' Berger wins fan of the day, meets Dolphins star
A former Dolphins "Fan of the Year" in 2020, Ian "Big E" Berger added to his fan repertoire by winning "Orange Jersey Fan of the Day," getting the opportunity to meet the player who was recognized as being an impact player in the previous practice.
In this case, it was star running back De'Von Achane, who walked from the practice field to the corner of the stands where Berger waited with an equally big smile on his face.
"I was just so honored to be selected as fan of the day," Berger said. "I read about this process earlier in the week, but I wanted to go just to go, because I love going to training camp. The fact that I got recognized and the fact that I got to talk to De'Von Achane and spend some time with him was really cool."
Berger was on a home-game attendance streak spanning 13 straight seasons before health concerns caused him to miss three games last year — which he watched from a hospital bed with his Dolphins gear proudly adorned.
In October 2024, Berger was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis, which is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the liver and ultimately blocks bile ducts. Bile is forced outside of the liver walls and it destroys the organ.
He currently has stage 4 cirrhosis, which has led to the need for a liver transplant, so his attendance at training camp was noteworthy.
"My wife actually will tell you that she probably didn't want me here today because I had a fever yesterday," Berger said. "But she also knows that this is probably the last time I'll be able to come out to training camp. Doing a lot of Miami Dolphins activities probably is not going to be something for my immediate future, so this is really important for me to be here today."
While he deals with his diagnosis, Berger is also looking forward to starting a brand new streak.
"Thirteen seasons of non-stop Dolphins games. I missed three last year, and I'll probably miss a few this year, too. But I don't care where I live, as long as I still have season tickets, I'm still going to be coming to football games."
Running back De'Von Achane makes new friends, admirers
Achane was a center of attention for the fans.
Part of that was due to his unique interaction with Berger following the "Orange Jersey Fan of the Day" announcement, with Berger calling the running back, despite his star status, "down to Earth."
One thing Berger relayed from their one-on-one conversation will have Dolphins fans excited for the running back's production this season.
"I did ask him the question," Berger said. "I asked him, 1500 yards — over or under?
"I told him I was talking to someone this week and I picked 'over,' and he was like, 'oh, absolutely over, all-purpose yards over 1500.' "
Apart from the fantasy football implications, Achane also endeared himself to a young group of fans. One, Kellan Portell, announced that Achane was one of his favorite players.
"I just feel honored that he noticed me out of this big crowd," Portell said "I'm just grateful for the opportunity to get an autograph."
His friend, Nicholas Jimenez, who called Achane "the best running back in the league right now," predicted the Dolphins will go 10-7 this year. Portell and his other friend, Alan Rodriguez, think 11-6 is within reach.
New York couple endure plane delay, sleepless night to arrive at camp
Most fans arrived to Day 4 of training camp following a good night's sleep. But one couple didn't have that luxury.
Jon and Lara Scharfman booked their hotel and then their flight — which turned into a redeye after a long delay.
"We've been fans for 20 years and we were supposed to fly in last night and get in around 1:00 a.m.," Jon Scharfman said. "We got in around 4:30 a.m., to Palm Beach International Airport, had to drive down to Fort Lauderdale, got to a hotel we were supposed to stay in for about an hour, and we're here at training camp."
Despite the distance from the Dolphins home stadium, the couple takes trips every year to watch the team.
"Our goal is to go to every single stadium for away games and we go to one every year," Lara Scharfman said.
This year, they're looking forward to the Pittsburgh Steelers game, currently scheduled for December 15 on "Monday Night Football."
With so many stories identifying veterans that the Dolphins are bringing in to help a young secondary, Jon was perhaps the first to know that Jack Jones was a Dolphin when he saw the former Raiders cornerback at his hotel.
"Fun fact, this morning I actually tweeted that Jack Jones signed before anyone else because we saw him at the hotel getting into a truck at 6:40 in the morning. I was super excited that they got a veteran to bring in."
When it comes to predictions, Jon says he does it every year, and every year he sees himself as an optimist.
He says 10-7, while Lara is doubling down on the optimism with an 11-6 prediction.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins fans optimistic about team's chances for 2025 NFL season