The Redskins Blog

Delivering ‘Baskets Of Hope’ To Area Kids

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Despite the dreary weather outside in the DMV, the pediatrics floor of the Georgetown University Hospital was made a little brighter today with a visit from Redskins linebacker Lorenzo Alexander.

The ‘One Man Gang’ was there on behalf of the Redskins Charitable Foundation, the NFL, and the Riley Children’s Foundation, to deliver ‘Super Baskets of Hope’ to critically ill children.  This is part of nationwide initiative to deliver a basket of goodies to the kids in most need of a smile.

Altogether, Basket of Hope and the NFL are delivering 7,000 baskets nationwide this week.  ”Super Baskets of Hope” is the first-ever Super Bowl host city service project that reaches across the nation.

Here were Alexander’s thoughts this afternoon on being the point-man for the Redskins’ efforts: Read more »

A Happy Belated Birthday Song For No. 85

AP Image

Twenty-three years ago (yesterday), the tick-tock started on the ‘Hank Time’ clock.  Via Leonard Hankerson’s twitter (@HankTime85):

Morning peeps… Thanks God for another year to my life, #23 Whew I'm getting old lol—
Leonard Hankerson (@HankTime85) January 30, 2012

Thanks peeps for all the love, I really appreciate it—
Leonard Hankerson (@HankTime85) January 30, 2012

It didn’t go completely unnoticed in Redskins Nation that Monday was Hankerson’s big day, I confess that I just didn’t have a compelling reason to write about it.

That is, until Hankerson spent his first full day as a 23-year-old reading with area children as part of the Charitable Foundation’s ‘Redskins Read’ program.  Then it became a very special event for everyone.

The students and staff at the Longview School were very appreciative of their visitor, and had a big birthday welcome for the young receiver: Read more »

Hankerson, FedEx Deliver ‘Redskins Read’

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Earlier this afternoon, Redskins wide receiver Leonard Hankerson joined FedEx workers to read to and distribute Redskins Read activity books to students at the Longview School in Germantown, Md.

This is the 13th year for the Redskins Read program, which was established by the Redskins Charitable Foundation at its inception in 2000.  This is the fourth year that the Redskins have teamed up with FedEx, in an effort to spread literacy and learning in the metropolitan area.

The Redskins will distribute approximately 360,000 activity books this year to various area schools.  Since 2009, FedEx has helped the Redskins ship more than 480,000 books.

Longview School–a special education school for disabled children–was selected by the Redskins this year thanks to a teacher, Josh Schechter, who wrote a letter requesting a visit from players.  He told the organization that he had the biggest Redskins fans in his school and classroom, and he was right.

The school colors for Longview happen to be Burgundy and Gold, and most students and staff show their school and team spirit throughout the year.

Read more »

Redskins Players Share Coats, Memories

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The Redskins Charitable Foundation and Redskins players Oshiomogho Atogwe, David Anderson, Terrence Austin, Brandon Banks, DeJon Gomes, Sean Locklear, Darrion Scott, Donte’ Stallworth, Josh Wilson, Dough Worthington, Logan Paulsen and Travon Bellamy went to the Macy’s in downtown D.C. to hand out winter clothes to 300 underserved children from the greater metro area.

This is a big event for the Redskins and Macy’s, but it’s also a hit with the players.  This is a rare opportunity for them to interact with their youngest fans, and provide them with something that they really need:

Coat drive @ Macy's in dc today!!!! I love giving back and seeing others smile!!!—
Brandon Banks (@speedybanks16) December 06, 2011

This will be a fun event @WRFoundation teaming up with @Macys to hand out brand new coats, gloves, hats & more to the kiddies!!—
Donte' Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) December 06, 2011

on the way to DC with @DonteStallworth to show love to the kids and pass out coats—
Terrence Austin (@Terrence_Austin) December 06, 2011

and me RT @DonteStallworth RT @Terrence_Austin: on the way to DC with @DonteStallworth to show love to the kids and pass out coats—
Darrion Scott 100 (@DarrionScott) December 06, 2011

Upon arrival, the players mingled with the kids, and took a liking to the kids’ balloons.  They instantly gravitated to the balloon booth and got arrows, swords and all manner of Christmas critters:

And then there was Redskins returner Brandon Banks, who got a reindeer balloon hat before helping kids get a Redskins cap and gloves:

Redskins safety Oshiomogho Atogwe showed off his fashionista chic style, by helping find coats for some of the little girls.  If patrolling center field doesn’t work for O.J., I think he has a natural gift for retail: Read more »

Redskins Players Out And About Today

Tuesday’s are the NFL’s day of rest, but that doesn’t mean that players just kick back and relax.  The player parking lot was about half full when I pulled in at 9 a.m., and players will trickle in for workouts, treatments, and film study throughout the day.  No one is satisfied with the team’s performance from Sunday, but they’re putting it behind them and looking ahead to Carolina.

In case you’re out and about today, you may catch some other Redskins out at various events in the community.

Return specialist Brandon Banks was up early this morning to attend a Redskins Charitable Foundation event at Calverton Elementary School in Beltsville, Md.  He’ll be hanging out with the children between 8:15-10 a.m. as part of the United Way Day of Service, focusing on NFL Play 60 and fitness.

Rise and grind!! On way to Calverton elementary in MD to hang out with the kids for the day!!—
Brandon Banks (@speedybanks16) October 18, 2011

Read more »

Redskins Silent And Live Auctions Feature Great Prizes

The Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation hosted today’s “Welcome Home Luncheon,” which is used in part to raise awareness and money for the foundation’s outreach in the community.  Both the cost of the ticket for the luncheon, as well as the live and silent auctions are used to benefit those initiatives.

Today’s live auction was conducted by John Nicholls of Nicholls Auction Marketing Group.  Emcee and former Redskins tight end Rick ‘Doc’ Walker introduced him with the superlative, “He connects with your mind in a way that motivates your wallet.”

And apparently, it worked.

The Redskins auctioned off six great prize packages that raised $18,200 for the foundation.  The coolest one, by far, was the Super Bowl XLVI Package that takes two fans back to Indianapolis for this February’s big game.

Hopefully they’ll be joined by other Washingtonians. Read more »

Redskins Players Soak Up The Atmosphere Today

A player’s primary opportunity to interact with fans is a one-way relationship through the TV screen.  Even for the fans in the stands at the game, there is little opportunity for two-way dialogue.

The Redskins Welcome Home Luncheon is a rare chance for players to interact with their fans on a personal level.  With the unusually large roster, the Redskins Charitable Foundation were able to seat at least one player at every table, giving fans a chance to eat and chat with their Burgundy and Gold-clad heroes.

As cool as that may have been for the fans, it was an even bigger experience for the players themselves. Read more »

Redskins ‘Welcome Home Luncheon’ Only Five Days Away

As everyone gears up for the game tonight, it’s time to start thinking about lunch for next week.  Wednesday, specifically.

Are you tired of the same old weekday lunch plans?  Looking for an opportunity to have lunch and meet Redskins alumni, coaching staff, and the entire Redskins team?

The Redskins are celebrating the 50th annual Welcome Home Luncheon at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. Everyone in attendance is guaranteed to sit with at least one Redskins player or coach at their table.

I would recommend Sav Rocca, but I assure you that they’re all great.

A limited number of tickets for the luncheon can still be purchased, and proceeds go to benefit the youth programs of the Redskins Charitable Foundation and Redskins Alumni Association. Read more »

Looking The Part Of An NFL Star

One of the many alternative reasons to come out to Redskins Park during training camp (aside from football) is the chance to take a picture as one of the Redskins superstars.

An important element of my job is people-watching, and it’s fun to watch Redskins fans of all shapes and sizes pour into the facilities.

Chip Sher brought his two sons, Joey, 8, and Johnny, 5, to their first Redskins training camp and stopped by the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation and Play60 tent that provided such great photo opportunities.

Here’sss Johnny:

Read more »

A Redskins Seat Upgrade

Part of my job for Redskins training camp is interacting with the fans.  There always seems to be one that stands out, and today it was Ryan Vicente.

Vicente and I crossed paths without even knowing it at FedEx Field the other day when the stadium seats were sold to fans, with proceeds going to the Redskins Charitable Foundation.

But, Ryan had a problem with his seat, and used the blog to search for help.

“I am one of the many people who purchased stadium seats this morning at FedEx. When I got home and went to assemble the brackets, they do NOT fit!” Ryan cried out in the comment section.

He went on to explain in impressive chair-terminology exactly what was wrong with the chairs that swayed side to side and were unstable.

“What can I do, or who at Redskins PR, or Redskins Charitable Foundation do I need to contact to have this resolved?” Ryan eagerly asked.

Fast forward 10 days.  Walking around training camp I see a fan with a seat that’s loaded with signatures. He was one of the last fans at the field and I had to know the back story.

It wasn’t long until I recognized him from the blog.  He explained that after calling out for help, it came in the form of Lon Rosenberg, Vice President of operations at FedExField.

Vicente got a call from Rosenberg with a personal invitation to come out to FedEx to set things straight with the seats.  As per instruction, he called Rosenberg when he was close to the stadium, and expected a few interns to come down with some new brackets.

Instead, Ryan found Rosenberg walking down himself, carrying some very special seats out of his own personal office.

Row 21. Seats 1 and 2 (which Vicente said he plans to rearrange to 2 and 1, 21).

“I was like, Wow!” Ryan said. “I felt like a little kid!”

Vicente was momentarily distracted from our conversation as DeAngelo Hall walked by.  ”D-HALL!” he bellowed.  “Oh he’s coming over dude, I think he’s coming over.  HE’S COMING OVER!”

“That’s the last one I needed,” he lowers his voice to tell me about his autographed seat.

Hall made the walk over to sign the seat with his full signature and title: “DeAngelo Hall: Pro Bowl MVP.”

Other signatures that he’s already collected include Joe Theismann, both Mike and Kyle Shanahan, John Beck, Brian Orakpo and Brandon Banks.

So, our story comes full circle, and Ryan is very appreciative.  “Lon Rosenberg: awesome guy. He went way above and beyond,” he said thankfully.