‘This is huge’: York County McDonald’s employees selected as World Cup flag bearers
Erica Evans thought it was a scam when her daughter, Taylor, said she was invited to go to the FIFA World Cup in Atlanta
“What are we going there for?” Evans remembers asking when her daughter, who recently graduated from high school, called her in April.
Taylor explained she was selected to be a flag bearer at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, one of the 11 World Cup host sites in the U.S.
Evans still didn’t believe it, until she received a phone call from Taylor’s manager at the McDonald’s at 989 E. Liberty St in York. The news was real.
Taylor is one of two York County McDonald’s employees who were chosen as flag bearers by restaurant management. They will bring the nation’s flag onto the field during the match’s pregame ceremony.
Taylor will be the flag bearer for Thursday’s group stage match between Czechia and South Africa. Flag bearers are commonly youth soccer players or community members who are selected from local partnerships or organizations.
Evans and her daughter aren’t huge soccer fans. But once Evans started researching the World Cup — and saw that an average of 175 million people who tune into each game — she realized how big of an opportunity it was.
“I started reading up on it, and I was like, ‘This is huge,’” Evans said. “I think I’m more excited than [Taylor] is.”
Felicia Hagg, who co-owns two York County McDonald’s with her father, Fred Funderburk, said Coca-Cola was sponsoring 41 McDonald's employees throughout the Southeast to attend the World Cup. The York and Clover locations won two of those spots.
Hagg called the York restaurant’s general manager, Tijuana Matthews, to see who she would recommend. That’s when Matthews landed on Taylor, who’s worked at the York location since last October. Hayden Johansen, who works at the McDonald’s at 905 Bethel St. in Clover, was also recommended by the restaurant manager and will be in Atlanta.
Hagg said Taylor rarely misses a day of work and is eager to pick up extra shifts. When she’s not working behind the counter, she’s serving as a guest experience lead, delivering food to the tables and interacting with customers.
“She’s little miss personality,” Hagg said.
Taylor recently graduated from York High School, where she was a cheerleader. She was also involved with HOSA — Future Health Professionals, a student-led organization, and the school’s book club.
Evans described her daughter as an outgoing, intelligent child who is always respectful to others.
“I just thank God for her every day,” Evans said. “Whenever I’m down, she helps me up.”
Once-in-a-lifetime trip
Hagg said it's rewarding to grant two dedicated employees the honor of being able to take the field during one of the world’s most popular sporting events.
“It’s just so exciting,” Hagg said. “This is once-in-a-lifetime.”
Coca-Cola is sponsoring the World Cup tickets and merchandise, while Flagg and Funderburk are paying for the employees and their guardians to stay at the Signia by Hilton Atlanta, which is just a short walk from the stadium.
Evans and her daughter planned to make the approximately four-hour drive from York County to Atlanta on Wednesday. After an early-morning rehearsal Thursday, Taylor will help bring the flags onto the field before the match begins at noon.
Erica said Taylor is ready to step out in front of the approximately 75,000 people in the stands and the millions more watching on TV.
“I’m so excited,” Evans said. “My head is all over the place.”
