http://www.nflplayers.com/events/gridiron_gala.aspx On Thursday, April 12, James Brown, host of CBS Sports' "THE NFL TODAY," along with Michael Wilbon of the Washington Post and ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption," will honor some of the NFL's biggest heroes at the NFL Players Gala featuring the JB Awards, an annual awards presentation that benefits Special Olympics D.C. For the fourth consecutive year, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and PLAYERS INC have partnered with Brown to recognize NFL players for their individual contributions to their communities with the JB Awards. JB Award recipients are nominated by their teammates upon the end of the season for their commitment to achieve excellence off the field through building better communities and stronger families. Out of the 32 players nominated (one per team), Brown personally selects 10 players to receive a JB Award, all of whom are automatic finalists for the Byron "Whizzer" White Award, the NFLPA?s highest honor. In addition to these award recipients, Brown selects approximately five individuals to receive a special JB Award that recognizes their personal accomplishments. The surprise of the evening is the presentation of the prestigious Byron "Whizzer" White Award to the player who serves his team, community and country, in the spirit of Byron Raymond White. The award was established by the professional football players of America to acknowledge a debt of gratitude to one of their own. Byron "Whizzer" White - scholar, athlete, patriot, humanitarian and public servant - is the personification of the ideal to which professional football players aspire. His service to the nation as Justice of the Supreme Court brings honor upon every man in professional football. The recipient of this prestigious award is chosen from among the 10 JB award winners by an independent panel of judges. Labor and business leaders from all over the country attend the Gala, which features cocktails, dinner and an entertaining awards ceremony emceed by Brown and Wilbon. A silent and a live auction will also be conducted, offering one-of-a-kind signed sports memorabilia. Last year the event raised more than $1 million to benefit Special Olympics DC, the sole provider of year-round sports training opportunities for 2,500 children and adults with developmental disabilities in the District of Columbia. In January 1995, all city funding for Special Olympics DC was permanently eliminated and the NFL Players Gala helps to raise the money Special Olympics DC so desperately needs to remain in existence. Special Olympics provides continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, express courage, experience the joy of athletic competition and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with family members, the community and other athletes from Special Olympics. Founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in the early 1960?s, the organization has established chapters in more than 20,000 communities and 140 countries around the world. The Special Olympics athletes bring the same tremendous commitment and love for sports as the JB Award recipients bring to football. Like the JB Award honorees, Special Olympics represents what?s GOOD about sports and we are honored that this Gala displays those athletes whose grit, guts and commitment are rarely glorified. Steve McNair and James Brown Event info: April 12, 2007 Washington Hilton 1919 Connecticut Avenue Washington, DC For ticket information, please contact Amy Maestas at (202) 496-2893. For event media credentials, please contact Joanna Comfort at (202) 463-2214. While the evening honors NFL players who excel beyond the game of football, the true beneficiary is Special Olympics, DC, which receives all proceeds from the event. Prior to the Gala, all attending NFL players play in a charity basketball game alongside Special Olympians. 2007 AWARDS: Ten JB Award Nominees Darnell Dinkins, Cleveland Browns John Lynch, Denver Broncos Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins Shaun O?Hara, New York Giants Duane Starks, Oakland Raiders Grant Wistrom, Seattle Seahawks Ryan Nece, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Renaldo Wynn, Washington Redskins Chad Pennington, New York Jets Special Award Winners Tony Dungy Marshall Faulk Everson Walls Lamar Hunt 2006 New Orleans Saints Other Special Events Associated with the Gala: Special Olympics Football Clinic New this year, NFL PLAYERS will give D.C. Special Olympics athletes the opportunity to join NFL players for an extraordinary Football Clinic held as part of the festivities surrounding the 2007 NFL Players Gala featuring the JB Awards. The clinic will feature more than 50 local Special Olympics athletes participating alongside NFL player-honorees in five stations featuring friendly, non-contact football activities. The NFL players will interact with the athletes and demonstrate a variety of offensive and defensive skills, including passing, receiving and kicking. JB Awards Television Special Each year, the Gala and surrounding activities are filmed for a one-hour ?JB Awards? television special that airs in July on CBS. Visit www.nflplayers.com/gala for more details. Congrats Chad. :beer: I may try to get tickets to the event. I am sure they are expensive though.
wow, i didnt know that was him because i figured they wouldnt allow cry babies to be in a movie like 300.
