The DC Touchdown Club Awards Dinner brought together a wide swath of the National Capital Region’s football community to celebrate some of the best coaches and players to take the gridiron. Football coaching legend Steve Spurrier, Washington Redskins former star Dexter Manley, Washington Commanders captain Terry McLaurin and broadcasting superstar Scott Van Pelt were among the headline award winners honored this past Thursday night.

“Just an amazing lineup filled with some of the greatest names in the sport,” Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “What a terrific night! We were thrilled to recognize the award winners and raise money for Patriot Point. This might have been our most accomplished group yet, since restarting the Touchdown Club 10 years ago.”

The program began with Van Pelt, who graduated from Sherwood High School and the University of Maryland, receiving a Career Achievement Award. The ESPN SportsCenter anchor clutched his trophy and told the crowd his kids were thrilled that he would be bringing home the hardware.

“Hey, I was just nominated for my eighth Emmy Award,” Van Pelt deadpanned, pausing for effect. “But I’m 0 for 7.”

Following dinner, longtime Northern Virginia high school football coach Danny Meier – who led West Potomac High to two state championships and Chantilly High to one – was inducted into the Touchdown Club’s Circle of Legends.

Then Manley was presented the Founder’s Award and regaled the crowd with stories from his college and pro careers, often punctuating important moments by slamming his first atop the podium. The Military Bowl Foundation presented the Dexter and Lydia Manley Foundation with a donation.

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: Tony Rojas, Fairfax

 Maryland High School Player of the Year: Jason Moore, DeMatha Catholic

 Washington, D.C. High School Player of the Year: Nyckoles Harbor, Archbishop Carroll

 Washington Metro High School Coach of the Year Pat Ward, St. John’s College

Williams, who starred at Gonzaga College High School in Northwest Washington and this past fall at the University of Southern California, was recognized as the Washington Metro College Player of the Year award. The first Heisman Trophy winner from the Washington area, Williams was unable to attend because of the Trojans’ spring football schedule but shared his acceptance in a video.

McLaurin was presented the Washington Metro Pro Player of the Year after leading the Commanders in receiving for the fourth consecutive year. He shared several stories from throughout his career, making a point to connect with the high school award winners and encouraging them to overcome any obstacles in their careers.

The night concluded with Spurrier telling tales from throughout his coaching career that included successful college stops at Duke, Florida and South Carolina, as well as two seasons with the Washington Redskins.

The Dinner raised money for Patriot Point, the Military Bowl Foundation’s retreat for wounded, ill and injured service members, their families and caregivers. The event was sponsored by Events DC, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, FCN Inc. Technology Solutions, MTI, WTOP, Legal Innovators, State Farm, Northrop Realty and Old Virginia Tobacco Company.

Foursomes and sponsorships are available for the Touchdown Club’s next event, the DC Touchdown Club Golf Outing on Tuesday, June 13 at Whiskey Creek Golf Club in Ijamsville, Maryland.

NEWS