Le Manolo Haïtien

Rene Jude Bernard, Haiti

Rene “Jude” Bernard was born in the south of Haiti and grew up in Port au Prince, but now lives in Kissimmee, Florida. When he was younger, Jude played for one of the best clubs in Haiti, Club Sportif St Louis, and also coached football for two years. Since 2020, he has been the President of Ouragan FC, a club in the second division in Haiti. Jude had been a fan of the Grenadiers (Haitian national team) since he was a child, when his father used to take him to the National Stadium. Now Jude travels to watch the team all over the region, even if he is the only Haitian in the stadium. A well-known reporter from Haiti nicknamed Jude “Le Manolo Haitien” in reference to the famous Spanish fan Manolo. He now has a Facebook group called ‘Le Manolo - Le Grenadier’, which has over 4,000 members. 

My name is Jude Bernard, the number one fan of the Haitian National Team. I am 55 years old, am originally from Haiti, and I live near Orlando, Florida. I was born in the south of Haiti in a city named Camp Perrin. I always carry my Haitian identity wherever I go, and I always travel with the national team all over the world as a show of solidarity with the players.

I came from a family of six. My father was a big football fan and had a big influence on me growing up. From a young age, he used to take us to the National Stadium, and we had a field in our yard so we could practice in front of him. I live and bleed football. It is my passion!

I came to the United States when I was 22 years old. I am a Compliance Analyst for one of the biggest American banks. Besides being a Grenadier fan, I am the President of a club in the 2nd Division in Haiti, Ouragan Football Club. I also played for Club Sportif St Louis, one of the most prestigious clubs in Haiti, from 1981 to 1987. 

The Only Haitian

As a former football player, I have been supporting the national team since I was a teenager. However, I got more involved in 2013 when I traveled to Miami to watch Haiti play the world champions Spain, where they lost 2-1. Since that game, I have been following the team and traveling with them all over. Sometimes I am the only Haitian in the stadium. 

In 2014, I met team captain Jerome Mechack and he introduced me to the whole team in 2015 in Costa Rica for my birthday. The team took photos with me at the National Stadium in San José. It was an incredible experience. The year after, we had our worst nightmare with the national team when we lost 3-0 in Nicaragua and did not qualify for the Gold Cup. We had won the first leg in Haiti 3-1. 

After seeing me with the national team everywhere, a very well-known reporter from Haiti called Thecieux Jeanty, called me “Le Manolo Haïtien” - The Haitian Manolo. There is a popular fan from Spain called Manolo, who always travels with Spain (since 1982). I established a Facebook group called Le Manolo - Le Grenadier, which has over 4,000 members.

Going Above And Beyond

I love the national team in all categories, whether it is the women’s team or the men’s team. In 2017, I helped a young player Steeve Selso Saint Duc from our U-17 national team find a contract to play with LAFC alongside Carlos Vela and Laurent Ciman. Selso ended up playing in Norway, Spain, and elsewhere in the United States. I also run funding campaigns for players, such as women who had participated in the U-20 World Cup. 

I have helped several other young players from Haiti with their contracts. Despite the league in Haiti being shut down for three years, I keep supporting the players who played for my club by sending them allowances and supporting their families. I keep sending shoes, football cleats, and uniforms to the youth so they stay away from distraction and delinquency.

The senior national team always knows that no matter where they go, I will be there to support them. I believe showing up to multiple stadiums means a lot to the Caribbean players and boosts their morale, creating a happier and healthier work culture. They know they are never by themselves. Also, it is my way to show my love to the country.

Pride And Passion

There is always a sense of pride when going to the games, especially when I hear the National Anthem La Dessalinienne. I definitely get goosebumps. Every time the team plays, I always try to wear the same jersey they are wearing on that day. If I do not wear the same jersey as them, most of the time they lose. Watching the national team is just special to me.

I always come up with new songs, and for this Gold Cup, I was inspired by the fans of Olympique Marseille, where my best friend grew up: 

“Nous sommes les Grenadiers, et nous allons gagner...OOOO OOOOO.”

I went to Houston for the first game against Qatar for the Concacaf Gold Cup and went to Charlotte for the match against Honduras. I was accompanied by Emmanuel, a young Haitian man who has come to live with us recently.

A New Arrival

Emmanuel (Manno) was raised by my mother since he was five years old. I met him in 2002 while my mother was still alive. My mother passed away in 2010, but she had always asked us to take care of him when she was gone. When my mother passed away, Manno went to live with my older sister in Port-au-Prince. With my mom, things were great with Manno, but when he went to Port-au-Prince, things were more difficult in Haiti. 

He graduated high school and obtained his degree in accounting. Early in 2023, the Biden administration opened a new program for Haitians living in Haiti, where you can help people from Haiti come via an I34 form. I filled out the form in January and Manno got a positive response on May 23rd. He had the chance to come to the United States on June 23rd, one day before I flew to Houston. 

I took Manno to Houston on the 24th and we watched the game against Qatar the next day. The week after, we went to Charlotte and watched the game against Honduras. Manno’s life has changed considerably since he arrived. He never thought that he would ever have a chance to come to the United States legally.

The photos were taken in the NRG stadium in Houston and in Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. We have my brother, my nephew Clifford, my friends, Manno, and some fans. I tried to capture some action, Manno being in a stadium, and the beauty of the stadium. Manno lived with Clifford’s mom (my sister) for 13 years until he came to the United States. They are very connected, as they are like brothers.

Helping My Country

To be honest, it has not been easy in my country. Football is the most popular sport in Haiti. It is a sport that can unify all classes and promote peace all over Haiti. It also promotes good behaviors for a better society. Sportsmanship is about teamwork, discipline and supporting each other. These behaviors are the key to a good society. It is something that is missing in our country.

I am not too far from retirement because I have been working with the company for 26 years. In the future, I intend to be a football agent so I can help the kids in Haiti to have better exposure. As a President of a second division club, I am open to any opportunity where I can be helpful to my country.