ST. LOUIS – There’s one tight-knit group of St. Louis Battlehawks fans you can count on for any given gameday. Like many dedicated football fans, they kick things off with a spirited, food-filled tailgate.
Bill Lewis and Brad Reinhardt lead the charge. The group’s pregame ritual began several years ago in the Vess Bottle parking lot. Nowadays, you’ll find them just a few blocks away at the corner of Washington Avenue and North Broadway, joined by 10-20 of their closest friends and family members.
The group hasn’t missed a home game or tailgate since the team’s inaugural season. That is, with one exception last year, due to an emergency.
“We were setting up for the tailgate, and I got a call from my wife, saying that my brother-in-law [Kevin Gagen] was in serious condition,” said Bill. “She said, ‘We don’t really know what happened, but you need to be able to come home.’ All the guys helped me pack up, and at the time, I didn’t know what was going on. We got in the car and learned that he passed away.”
That happened exactly one year ago last Sunday, just hours before the Battlehawks’ 2024 home opener.
“It’s been very emotional, but it’s nice to have all these people support [each other], to where you can come back to the same place where that very tragedy happened a year ago and celebrate his honor,” said Bill during last weekend’s home opener.
Kevin Gagen died on April 6, 2024, from a suspected heart attack. He was a father of two girls. Loved ones described him as a caring, family-oriented, and outgoing person who always looked forward to tailgates with his friends.
“Just like all the rest of these guys. Good times. Good father. Good husband,” said Chris Gagen, Kevin’s brother.
“He would be right here with us,” said Bill. “He would be right here in the middle of everything. Good father, good dad, good husband, good son, and gone too soon. It was one of those things, like I always say, enjoy the time you have with people because you never know when you won’t see them anymore. With him, we didn’t get to say goodbye, but we feel like keeping his legacy going, and doing this is a big part of keeping the tradition going.”
During last weekend’s tailgate, the group made a toast to Kevin and took a pregame shot in his honor. Despite the emotional weight, the atmosphere was lively, full of laughter and fond memories. And of course, plenty of tailgate foodfare, including bratwursts and chicken fajitas.
-
Group photo from the tailgate at Washington Avenue and North Broadway. (Photo: FOX 2) -
Battlehawks fan Bill Lewis cooks plenty of hot foods during the pregame tailgate. (Photo: FOX 2) -
Close friends enjoy drinks and chats during a pregame tailgate. (Photo: FOX 2) -
Battlehawks fan Brad Reinhardt leads a toast during a pregame tailgate. (Photo: FOX 2)
Bill leads the cooking, while Brad handles the organizing. Brad keeps the crew connected through a Battlehawks Facebook group. He also takes charge of ticket distribution and parking plans.
“We got here around 10 a.m. or so,” said Brad, who arrived seven hours before last weekend’s kickoff. “We thought the rain was going to be a problem, but we knew just to support the team and the city. It’s been a darn good time.”
This tailgating group is more than just a collection of football fans. It’s a community.
“I think everybody just loves the whole [mindset of] ‘Everybody still hates Stan Kroenke,” said Brad. “We like to support the St. Louis teams. Everybody just comes out and just enjoys the day.”
“I like it better than professional [football],” said friend Kevin Sullivan. “And Bill’s our favorite cook.”
“It’s a good time,” said Bill. “The people that support this team, we all are fans. We all are family, and I think that goes a long way. Going in the Battledome, everybody’s friends. Everybody’s close. Everybody talks to each other. And I think that’s a big part of coming together with this team too.”
“We feel like we’re a tribe of people just getting together,” said Brad. “To honor [Kevin], to keep this rolling, I think it’s great for St. Louis, it’s great for the league, and it’s a darn good time.”
After last weekend’s tailgate, the group enjoyed a Battlehawks 26-9 win over the San Antonio Brahmas with some of the best seats in the house: Section 101 of the Dome at America’s Center.
The victory improved the Battlehawks to 2-0 in the young 2025 UFL spring football season.
With a solid start for their football team and a loved one deep in their minds, the group has high hopes for the road ahead.
“Let’s win the whole darn thing!” said Brad. “Let’s go. Ka-Kaw is the law.”
The Battlehawks host the DC Defenders this Sunday at the Dome at America’s Center. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Your local ABC affiliate will carry the live game broadcast.