NFL Players To Take Part In Celebrity Classic
The Ministry of Community, Culture and Sports in partnership with the Mirrors Alumni and Friends Association announced the first five of the 17 NFL players confirmed to visit Bermuda for the inaugural Ed Block Bermuda Celebrity Classic which will be held from July 10-12, 2016.
NFL players will participate in a Power of One Youth rally and a celebrity golf tournament on July 11 and 12.
The Ministry of Community Culture and Sport has partnered with the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation, Inc. USA to raise awareness of how to prevent child abuse and neglect and support for at risk youth through its [Ed Block] Charter with the Courage House National Network for kids and affiliation with the National Football League. The Mirrors Alumni and Friends Association, Charity #947 are the steward of funds for the initiative.
The partnership will allow the Mirrors Program to join the Courage House National Network providing the Courage House branding for Mirrors, youth access to leadership counseling and training opportunities for staff. Proceeds will be split 50/50 between the two charities: Mirrors Alumni and Friends Association and Team Street Safe.
Activities scheduled include Power of One Youth Outreach rally on Monday, July 11 with NFL players/staff, David Bascome and friends who will spend the day with youth from Mirrors, Residential Treatment Services and summer day camps. The Power of One rally is designed to empower our community and young people.
David Bascome of the Power of One said, “This event will be a tremendous event for our country and community. Having been a part of the Ed Block Courage Awards events for the past 12 years in Baltimore, I have been able to create a great network that has helped me advance my goals in building communities and my business. “
He further stated, “Our country will get the same boost, of networking and opportunities to leverage the collective support to build our community and youth to reach their fullest potential through the golf tournament and the Power of One youth rally. It will also give our guests a chance to experience our beautiful country and ability to spread the word on how special our people are.
“This event will also open up many doors for businesses for many of the professional athletes looking to invest. As for our community, our young people will have an experience of a life time when that get to spend some great activity time with the NFL players, staff and local heroes.
“All the NFL players and staff taking part of this event have been selected around their positive personality traits and their ability to translate their success on the field to a message that would encourage our young people to move forward and follow their dreams.
“Our young people will have a chance to spend time with the NFL players, staff and our local heroes at the Power of One outreach. This event will open up many opportunities for our young and community. I am excited to be a part of this great event.”
VIP Reception
- Sponsors will have the opportunity to mingle with NFL players. This will be a ticketed buffet barbecue, a silent auction and a golf pairing activity.
Golf Tournament
- July 12, 2016- NFL Players/Foundation staff and local golf fraternity will participate in a one day golf tournament at Port Royal Golf Course. NFL Players/Foundation staff and celebrities will be partnered with three golfers for a shot gun start event. The best ball format will be utilized. Golf is currently open for registration by contacting Karen Marsh, Bermuda Tees at [441] 295-4640 or email kmarsh@bermudatees.bm.
The Ed Block Bermuda Celebrity Classic raffle tickets are currently on sale at various venues across the island and can be purchased from the Mirrors office. Cohort 11 participants and RTS youth will be ambassadors for the rally and are selling raffles as part of their community service project.
To find out more about the Bermuda Ed Block Bermuda Classic, visit the Ed Block Facebook page or contact Kimberley Jackson at [441] 294-9291 or via email at kvjackson@gov.bm.
Knowshon Moreno:
Knowshon was the 2013 Ed Block Courage Award recipient for the Denver Broncos. Moreno has played for the Denver Broncos and the Miami Dolphins in his NFL career. In 2012 Moreno caught 60 passes for 548 yards to become the first ever Denver Running Back to collect 1,000 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving in a single season. Off the field Moreno is involved with Mount Saint Vincent Home. Mount Saint Vincent Home partners with families and children to strengthen their ability to emotionally and socially participate in their communities. We support families and children without being a substitute for families, valuing relationships that promote our values: dignity, humor, individual responsibility, justice, learning, personal safety, respect, sense of community and spiritual growth.
Earnest Byner:
Earnest Byner is in the Baltimore Ravens ring of honor for his work on and off the field. Earnest was one of the first ambassadors that brought NFL football back to Baltimore. On the field Byner rushed for over 8,200 yards and 56 TD’s during his 14 year career. He also caught 512 passes out of the backfield for over 4,600 yards. Off the field he was a true mentor to his teammates during his career and afterwards was the 1st Baltimore Ravens Director of Player Development. He continued to help his teammates find their way in life after football. To this day Earnest still reaches out to help fellow NFL players
Eddie Kennison:
Eddie Kennison was the Kansas City Chiefs Ed Block Courage Award recipient in 2007. On the field Eddie Kennison is in the top 10 of virtually every receiving category in Kansas City Chiefs history. Off the field Eddie and his wife Shimika established “Quickstart: The Eddie Kennison Foundation” in 2003. The organization’s mission is to raise awareness and research dollars for the autoimmune disease Lupus, in addition to funding local scholarships. In 2005 Kennison spearheaded efforts in the Chiefs locker room to raise $168,000 for relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He has also partnered with the NFL’s “play it smart” program and traveled with Chiefs President Carl Peterson to visit soldiers at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Leon Washington:
Leon Washington was the Seattle Seahawks’ Ed Block Courage Award recipient in 2010. Leon has played for the Seahawks, New York Jets, New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans during his 10 year NFL career. Washington has amassed over 3,500 all-purpose yards from scrimmage in his career and is one of the best return men in the game with eight career kick return TD’s. Off the field Leon has the Leon Washington Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to assist low income families with education, sports and life skills. Washington hosts events and makes appearances in his hometown of Jacksonville Florida to help young people reach their goals in life.
Joique Bell:
In 2014 Joique Bell appeared in 15 games for the Lions while managing ankle and knee injuries and led the team in rushing with 860 yards and seven touchdowns. He also had 34 receptions for 322 yards and a touchdown. “Joique was able to not only lead on the field with his performance, but his intangibles of work ethic and passion for the game also motivated his fellow teammates,” said Kevin Bastin, Detroit Lions Head Athletic Trainer. “Off the field, Joique uses these same traits of courage, passion and work ethic to serve the greater Detroit community.” Bell played in 13 games in 2015 [5 starts] and gained 597 yards from scrimmage and scored four touchdowns.
