2024 Touchdown Club Awards Dinner

The DC Touchdown Club Awards Dinner brought together the National Capital Region’s football community to celebrate some of the area’s top players and coaches past and present.

Two of the best special teamers in Washington Redskins’ history – Brian Mitchell and Mark Moseley – were among the headline award winners honored this past Friday night, along with University of Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and University of Maryland longtime basketball coach Gary Williams.

“What an incredible night celebrating some of the best to ever take the court, the field and the sidelines in the Washington area,” Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “We were thrilled once again to recognize the award winners and raise money for Patriot Point. This was our best night yet!”

The program began with Mitchell, perhaps the greatest return specialist in NFL history, receiving a Career Achievement Award to recognize his achievements on the field and for more than two decades as a leading figure in local sports media.

“It means the world to me,” Mitchell said. “You go out on the football field and you don’t necessarily think about getting honors like this. You just go out there and you want to be the best you can be. I tried my best to do that. Now that I’m retired from football and I’m getting these type of accolades it lets me know that people really enjoyed the things I did.”

Following dinner, Tagovailoa was recognized for his success on the field, passing for more than 3,000 yards in each of the past three seasons as he became the Big Ten Conference’s all-time leading passer.

Emcee Rick “Doc” Walker presented the Touchdown Club’s high school player and coach of the year awards:

Virginia High School Player of the Year: Fletcher Westphal, Tuscarora
Maryland High School Player of the Year: Gideon Ituka, Gaithersburg
Washington, D.C. High School Player of the Year: Michael Brown, Friendship Collegiate
Washington Metro High School Coach of the Year: Andy Stefanelli, Good Counsel

Moseley, who remains the only kicker named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, received the Founder’s Award and New England Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley received the Pro Player of the Year Award. Bentley previously was honored as the Touchdown Club’s Maryland High School Player of the Year in 2014.

The night concluded with Williams being inducted into the Touchdown Club’s Circle of Legends recognizing the region’s coaching greats. With former players including Lonny Baxter, Johnny Rhodes and Walt Williams in attendance, Williams shared some stories from his coaching career while acknowledging that great players often help make their coaches look good.

The Dinner raised money for Patriot Point, the Military Bowl Foundation’s retreat for wounded, ill and injured service members, their families and caregivers. In addition to presenting sponsor BuildSubmarines.com, the event was sponsored by Constellation Brands, Chenega MIOS, DC News Now, Events DC, FCN Technology Solutions Inc., Legal Innovators, Old Virginia Tobacco Company, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and WTOP.

Foursomes and sponsorships are available for the Touchdown Club’s next event, the DC Touchdown Club Golf Outing on Tuesday, June 11 at Whiskey Creek Golf Club in Ijamsville, Maryland.