Bethesda, Md. — The DC Touchdown Club presented by Capital Bank N.A. brought together the National Capital Region’s football community as it honored a Pro Football Hall of Famer, a Naismith Memorial Hall of Famer, a legendary broadcaster and soon-to-be NFL first-round draft pick at its seventh annual 3M Awards Dinner on Thursday night before a capacity crowd of 300.
With several former teammates and current co-workers in attendance, Washington Redskins former cornerback and current George Mason University administrator Darrell Green was presented the Founder’s Award for his contributions to the game of football. Play-by-play announcer Verne Lundquist, known as one of the leading voices in college football, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
While he was unable to attend, longtime DeMatha Catholic High School basketball coach Morgan Wootten – who also coached football for 12 seasons – was inducted into the Touchdown Club’s Circle of is Legends. Former Bullis School star quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who as a redshirt sophomore at Ohio State was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy this past season, also was honored.
Those awards highlighted a special evening as guests celebrated the best and brightest players in the Washington area.
“We continue to be impressed with the region’s football community – both those who we honor and those who join us for the terrific night,” Military Bowl Foundation Executive Director Steve Beck said. “The 3M Awards Dinner represents the culmination of another amazing season. We feel fortunate to honor this special group of people.”
Proceeds from the Dinner benefit Patriot Point, the Military Bowl Foundation’s 290-acre retreat for recovering service members, their families and caregivers on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
The crowd included several former Timmie Award winners, University of Maryland football coach Mike Locksley, Navy football football Ken Niumatalolo, XFL DC Head Coach Pep Hamilton, several former Redskins players and many local executives.
Following a cocktail reception that included a live broadcast by The Team 980, emcee Doc Walker introduced Wootten for his award, which was accepted by one of his former players and assistant coaches, Pete Strickland.
After dinner, Walker presented the local high school award winners. Westfield wide receiver and defensive back Taylor Morin was named the Virginia High School Player of the Year. St. John’s defensive end Tre’Mon Morris-Brash was named the D.C. High School Player of the Year. DeMatha wide receiver and defensive back DeMarcco Hellams was named the Maryland High School Player of the Year. Tom Verbanic, who stepped down following this past season with Flint Hill sporting a 22-game winning streak, was named the Washington Metro High School Coach of the Year.
Former NFL standout Shawn Springs, a 13-year veteran, presented the Washington Metro College Player of the Year to Haskins, who set 28 Ohio State records and seven Big Ten Conference records in his first season as a starter.
That set the stage for the night’s biggest awards. Niumatalolo introduced Lundquist, whose tenure as CBS Sports lead college football announcer included eight Army-Navy games. Former Redskins defensive back Brad Edwards, who is now the athletic director at George Mason, introduced his former teammate and current colleague Darrell Green.
“At the end of the day, football is a child’s game” Green stated early in his speech. When you look at things such as Patriot Point and the sacrifice of many men and women, it makes it easier to play a child’s game.”
