DJ Kopec

10/08/2026

As many of you have seen, social media is flooded with news about the Oriole Bird and others being laid off by the Baltimore Orioles.

In a world quick to make jokes and share memes, please remember that there is a real person behind that costume.

I’ve had the privilege of getting to know him through our toy drive and nearly seven years of holiday visits to children’s hospitals. He has brought comfort and joy to children and families facing incredibly difficult circumstances, and I’ve seen firsthand how genuinely he cares. We have shared our thoughts about the community and how the mascot brings joy to so many. We have shared events with the community too numerous to count and I have witnessed his incredible energy and passion for his craft each and every time!

He is so much more than the Oriole Bird or the mascot suit. This wasn’t simply a job—it was a career, a passion, and something he truly loved.

Losing a job is difficult enough without having the entire city and national media discussing it publicly. Before sharing the next joke, please remember the person behind the costume and the impact this loss has on him and everyone affected.

Please say a prayer for him and the others whose lives have been turned upside down. And to the Baltimore Orioles, I sincerely hope you find a way to bring him back.

The Oriole Bird may be a mascot to most of us, but I know it meant the world to the man inside that suit. 🧡🖤 Thinking of you brother🙏

09/11/2026

I distinctly remember September 11, 2001. I was just one year out of Virginia Tech, living in Texas, and preparing to move back to the Washington, D.C. area to start a new job. I was supposed to fly home on September 12.

Of course, that flight never happened. Instead, I made the long drive home. When I arrived in the D.C. area, the Pentagon was still smoldering, and there was an eerie feeling everywhere—one that is difficult to describe and something I will never forget.

Today, I can’t help but think about all of the first responders who answered the call that morning, having no idea what they were walking into or that, for some, they were walking toward their fate. Their courage and sacrifice—and the lives of every person we lost that day—should never be forgotten.

As the years continue to pass, I hope we continue to tell the story of September 11 to our children and future generations. They need to understand what happened that day, the sacrifices that were made, and the incredible courage shown by so many ordinary Americans in extraordinary circumstances.

May we always remember September 11, 2001, honor those we lost, and never forget that freedom is never free.

🇺🇸 Never Forget. 🇺🇸

09/01/2026

I had Logan’s camera in the car and watched Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services, Lisbon Volunteer Fire Company, Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company, Maryland State Police - Aviation Command, Maryland State Police Howard County Police Department, and numerous other agencies.

An incredible effort on Interstate 70 this afternoon.

Multiple agencies worked side by side for nearly two hours to extricate two heavily trapped individuals—providing blood on scene and utilizing the Shock Trauma GO-TEAM to bring advanced trauma care directly to the patients. They even brought a private crane in quickly from Morton's Towing & Recovery Inc to assist with the extrication.

Maryland is incredibly fortunate to have the EMS resources and trauma system that we do. The coordination, skill, and dedication it takes to respond to an incident like this is remarkable and a reminder of just how strong our emergency response system is here in Maryland.

Hats off to every firefighter, paramedic, EMT, trooper, dispatcher, medical professional, and agency involved today. Incredible work by everyone on scene. 🙏🚒🚑

08/05/2026

Maddie’s 13th birthday present came a few days early! Thanks to some very special people who let the Philadelphia Eagles know there one of there biggest fans has been loyal despite every effort to convert her! The offers have run deep from free ice cream for life to a pet bunny, but she didn’t waiver. She is a loyal fan. The Eagles made her day with tickets to training camp💚 Maddie wanted to tell the DJ Kopec Fam in green Go Birds!

07/04/2026

Happy 250th Birthday, America! 🇺🇸 DJ Kopec family, I hope you all have a happy Fourth of July weekend celebrating with your family and friends. We miss you all. Not a day goes by that we don't think about the incredible nights we shared together. Thank you for all the memories, the support, and for being such an amazing part of our family! A special shout-out to my beautiful wife, April, as we celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary this week. ❤️ I hope to see all of you out and about soon. Football season—and Ravens season—will be here before we know it! Happy Independence Day, everyone! Stay safe, and God bless America. 🇺🇸

06/27/2026

If you have a minute, I’d like to ask you to help my friend Tommy Tucker former DJ Kopec Crew member and his son, Quinn.

Last week, they experienced a tragic accident. Thanks to Tommy’s heroic actions, the incredible efforts of the Maryland State Police Aviation team, the paramedics on scene, and the amazing staff at Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital, Quinn is still here with us and on the road to recovery.

Quinn did lose his leg as a result of the accident, but this brave 4-year-old has already shown more courage than most people will in a lifetime. I saw Quinn earlier this week at Hopkins in the ICU and he had a smile on his little face playing with his dinosaurs. It stopped me in my tracks💪💪

If you’re able to donate to help their family during this incredibly difficult time, it would mean so much. Every contribution, no matter the amount, and every prayer is appreciated.

Please continue to keep Quinn, Tommy, and their entire family in your thoughts and prayers as they face a long journey of healing and recovery.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support. ❤️

On Saturday morning, June 20th, my brother was mowing the grass at my dad's house with his John Dee… Clay Tucker needs your support for Help Quintin Run Again

06/02/2026

That little guy shouting numbers on the screen and dancing around is headed to high school! Mom and dad are proud of you Logan!
I know many of you are going thru graduation season right now. Congrats to all those little dancing machines out there who lived thru Covid with us during our basement dance parties!

05/16/2026

It’s been a minute DJ Kopec Fam!!! We miss you all❤️ Date night with my girl!

04/25/2026

Show Your Soft Side Last night’s Pawject Runway Fashion Show was truly something special — a beautiful evening filled with purpose, style, and heart.

Volunteers, celebrities, and animal lovers all came together to support our four-legged friends, and the energy in the room was incredible. From the runway to the crowd, it was a star-studded event that reminded everyone how powerful a community can be when it rallies around a cause.

What an amazing night at CFG Bank Arena
📸

01/26/2026

Snow Party