GREATER LANDOVER, Md. — Despite the less-than-ideal outcome of Sunday's game for the Commanders at FedEx Field, there was one group who was pretty happy with how the day turned out. In a WUSA9 exclusive, we introduce you to some folks who got the invite of all invites, because sometimes it's all about who you know.
Commanders owners Josh Harris and Mark Ein invited several of their former classmates from elementary school and high school, to Sunday's game against the Giants.
Ein expressed his gratitude for the unique reunion.
"It's going to be an incredibly special day for all of us," Ein said.
Those who got the invite reflected on how far their friends have come since their days in the lunch line.
"It's one of those life lessons where you just don't know what's going to happen to people and how they're going to live their lives. It's fascinating to see how it plays out," said classmate Howard Korn.
For Harris, he says he's happy to share what life has brought him.
"It's so great to be able to bring everyone along and share with everyone all the great things that I've had in my life," the Commanders owner said.
The long journey to NFL ownership is not lost on co-owner Mark Ein.
"This is what mattered the most to all of us when we were kids and the fact that a couple of kids from Rollingwood Elementary School are in this position has been incredible," Ein said.
The feeling from their Rollingwood classmates, and those from Leland Junior High, is mutual.
"I haven't seen a lot of these people in a long time. Since elementary school! It's a beautiful thing, man. We grew up in a great neighborhood with beautiful people," said classmate Darryl Milam.
Ein shared playground memories with classmate John Milam, who he said was the only kid who could kick the kickball over the fence.
"We were the first African-American family on my street... but they were so accommodating and nice, they opened their homes up to us," MIlam said of Harris and Ein.
Classmate Michael Barr said it was amazing to have the chance to reconnect with so many friends he grew up with in such a unique setting.
"It's very cool to be able to be here," he said.
But not everyone got an invite.
"There were like two people where we were like 'We're not inviting that person.' They don't know, but they didn't get invited. No names," Ein said.