JB Awards Honors NFL Players For Community Involvement.
The Annual JB Awards and Gala was held at the Washington Hilton Hotel this past Thursday to pay homage to those NFL players for their inspiring work off the football field.
While a major part of their lives is football, the sport alone doesn't define its players. Many players actively participate in their communities to make the lives of children and families better.
Hosted by James Brown ('NFL Today'), with the help John Riggins (dressed sock less and with a bandage on his left foot due to an injury), the two kept the crowd amused and entertained as players received their individual awards.
Former Philadelphia Eagle, turned Denver Bronco defensive back, Brian Dawkins won the prestigious Byron 'Whizzer' White award. Dawkins, the regional spokesperson for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation was named the 2008 Father of the Year by the American Diabetes Association. Dawkins made a donation to the neonatal unit at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia afer his twin daughters were born two months prematurely.
Dawkins' wife, Connie, received the award on his behalf, while Dawkins spoke to the crowd of a thousand via satellite. "I wish he were up here instead of me", Mrs. Dawkins said. Despite her wish, she accepted the award in fine fashion - wearing a long strapless aquamarine flowing gown - and did a good job of addressing the crowd.
Said Brian Dawkins on receiving his JB award:
Other JB Award honorees included Saint Lewis Rams linebacker, Chris Draft, (his second JB award in two years). Through his Chris Draft Family Foundation, Draft stresses the importance of family, education, and Christ, and helps provide essential tools like financial literacy, health and wellness for overall family success.
Superbowl XLIII Arizona Cardinals', Larry Fitzgerald (who told the crowd when asked about trade rumors of teammate Anquan Boldin, during the event's individual Q&A session, that "plans are being made as we speak to keep Anquan in Arizona"), won the evening's Impact award. Fitzgerald's off-the-field accomplishments found him traveling to Iraq in support of US troops.
Individual Award Winners: Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens) – Emerging Leadership; Superbowl XLIII QB, Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) – Perseverance; and Washington's own, Clinton Portis (Washington Redskins) – Special Olympics DC Athletes’ Choice.
The JB Awards and Gala is an amazing event that not only honors and highlights the off-the-field accomplishments of NFL players, and brings together both business and community, but also raises money to help support the Special Olympics DC.
Each year, JB Award honorees lead a group of student athletes from the SODC in football drills and obstacle course activities at Cardinal Stadium on the campus of Catholic University.
For more visit SODC, and JB Awards.
Seen at the gala: Dr. Benjamin Carson and wife, Candy; actor Clifton Powell (nephew to James Brown), Redskins' Albert Haynesworth; wife and family of former NFLPA Executive Director, Gene Upshaw (for whom a video montage and moment of silence was offered in remembrance).
Honoree list, personally selected by Brown: Gary Brackett (Indianapolis Colts), Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints), Isaac Bruce (San Francisco 49ers), Greg Camarillo (Miami Dolphins), Rock Cartwright (Washington Redskins), Chris Draft (St. Louis Rams), Mike Furrey (Detroit Lions), Tony Pashos (Jacksonville Jaguars), David Thornton (Tennessee Titans), Kurt Warner (Arizona Cardinals) and Daniel Wilcox (Baltimore Ravens).
Football may not define an individual player, but it sure makes for a good life.
Event photos.
Special thanks to the man himself, James Brown.
The Annual JB Awards and Gala was held at the Washington Hilton Hotel this past Thursday to pay homage to those NFL players for their inspiring work off the football field.While a major part of their lives is football, the sport alone doesn't define its players. Many players actively participate in their communities to make the lives of children and families better.
Hosted by James Brown ('NFL Today'), with the help John Riggins (dressed sock less and with a bandage on his left foot due to an injury), the two kept the crowd amused and entertained as players received their individual awards.
Former Philadelphia Eagle, turned Denver Bronco defensive back, Brian Dawkins won the prestigious Byron 'Whizzer' White award. Dawkins, the regional spokesperson for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation was named the 2008 Father of the Year by the American Diabetes Association. Dawkins made a donation to the neonatal unit at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia afer his twin daughters were born two months prematurely.
Dawkins' wife, Connie, received the award on his behalf, while Dawkins spoke to the crowd of a thousand via satellite. "I wish he were up here instead of me", Mrs. Dawkins said. Despite her wish, she accepted the award in fine fashion - wearing a long strapless aquamarine flowing gown - and did a good job of addressing the crowd.
Said Brian Dawkins on receiving his JB award:
"This is an absolute blessing. I just want to thank everybody. I know how many guys that went before me that received this award. I know how huge it is for the NFLPA.”Last year’s Byron 'Whizzer' White winner was free agent Warrick Dunn who, through his Warrick Dunn Foundation, helps single parents secure first-time home buying opportunities.
Other JB Award honorees included Saint Lewis Rams linebacker, Chris Draft, (his second JB award in two years). Through his Chris Draft Family Foundation, Draft stresses the importance of family, education, and Christ, and helps provide essential tools like financial literacy, health and wellness for overall family success.
Superbowl XLIII Arizona Cardinals', Larry Fitzgerald (who told the crowd when asked about trade rumors of teammate Anquan Boldin, during the event's individual Q&A session, that "plans are being made as we speak to keep Anquan in Arizona"), won the evening's Impact award. Fitzgerald's off-the-field accomplishments found him traveling to Iraq in support of US troops.
Individual Award Winners: Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens) – Emerging Leadership; Superbowl XLIII QB, Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) – Perseverance; and Washington's own, Clinton Portis (Washington Redskins) – Special Olympics DC Athletes’ Choice.
The JB Awards and Gala is an amazing event that not only honors and highlights the off-the-field accomplishments of NFL players, and brings together both business and community, but also raises money to help support the Special Olympics DC.
Each year, JB Award honorees lead a group of student athletes from the SODC in football drills and obstacle course activities at Cardinal Stadium on the campus of Catholic University.
For more visit SODC, and JB Awards.
Seen at the gala: Dr. Benjamin Carson and wife, Candy; actor Clifton Powell (nephew to James Brown), Redskins' Albert Haynesworth; wife and family of former NFLPA Executive Director, Gene Upshaw (for whom a video montage and moment of silence was offered in remembrance).
Honoree list, personally selected by Brown: Gary Brackett (Indianapolis Colts), Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints), Isaac Bruce (San Francisco 49ers), Greg Camarillo (Miami Dolphins), Rock Cartwright (Washington Redskins), Chris Draft (St. Louis Rams), Mike Furrey (Detroit Lions), Tony Pashos (Jacksonville Jaguars), David Thornton (Tennessee Titans), Kurt Warner (Arizona Cardinals) and Daniel Wilcox (Baltimore Ravens).
Football may not define an individual player, but it sure makes for a good life.
Event photos.
Special thanks to the man himself, James Brown.
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