(March 14, 2008) - This is Redskins town, and its legends, representing more than thirty years of football history, gathered at the J.W. Marriott hotel for the Washington Football Legends gala to be awarded in areas of service, sports media, and of course - football.
Among the awardees, Herman Boone, (‘Remember the Titans’) – Champion of the Gridiron Award; George Michael (NBC Sports) – Excellence in Media Award; first African American Redskin player, Bobby Mitchell - Champion of the Gridiron Award; and Redskin owner Dan Snyder – Community MVP Award for his charitable service in the DC metro area.
The annual event, (MC’d by Rick ‘Doc’ Walker), now in its third year, is the brain child of the NFL’s first African American quarterbacks, Doug Williams (Redskins 1986-89) and James ‘Shack’ Harris, of the Shack Harris and Doug Williams Foundation, a 501(c) 3 non-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged youth.
Since its inception in 2005, the Foundation has awarded more than $100,000 in support of economically and physically challenged youth for after-school initiatives, leadership development, mentoring programs and minority higher education assistance.
Selected charities included The Titan Foundation (Herman Boone); Youth For Tomorrow (George Michael); The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (Bobby Mitchell); Lift Me Up! (a therapeutic horseback riding program dedicated to helping children and adults with physical, mental and/or emotional disabilities); Sterling Automotive Group Foundation (Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Moorehead); and the Children’s National Medical Center (Daniel Snyder).
Marriott chairman, Bob McCarthy was also honored.
Video played as attendees marveled and reminisced on the accomplishments of each honoree. Whether it was Bobby Mitchell running past opponents during his days with Cleveland Browns and the Redskins, or George Michael’s affinity for reporting on farm animals (I kid you not), or Dan Snyder seen giving back to the community (see our coverage here), or snippets of the awe inspiring movie Remember the Titans – the evening really had to be inspiring for Redskins new comer Albert Haynesworth, and present Redskins quarterback, Jason Campbell (both in appearance).
Also present: Gary Clark, Ricky Sanders, Charley Taylor, Brig Owens, Ken Harvey, and Redskins coach, Jim Zorn.
Worth mentioning: Auction items included sports memorabilia, celebrity golf packages, Redskin VIP passes to a NY Giants game, and a three-day, two-night trip to Vegas.
Most memorable quote of the evening: “When you win the race, don’t ever forget to go back to the barn to take care of the horse that brought you there.” - Mr. Thomas Moorehead.
Indeed, that’s what this special evening was all about.
The Redskins start off-season training this Monday.
(Photo: Dan Synder, David Kelly, Herman Boone, Bobby Mitchell, and George Michael)
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