United Way Hosts Second Annual Hometown NFL Huddle Charity Golf Tournament
On Friday, March 24, 2017, United Way of Southwest Alabama (UWSWA) held its Second Annual Hometown NFL Huddle Charity Golf Tournament. The event, co-chaired by University of South Alabama Head Football Coach Joey Jones and Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback AJ McCarron, took place at Magnolia Grove, a Robert Trent Jones course recently named one of the “Top 50 Public Courses” by Golf World Magazine readers.
For more than 40 years, the National Football League—owners, coaches, players, and staff— has worked with United Way to strengthen America’s communities. The United Way-NFL partnership is the longest running collaboration in history between a major sports league and a nonprofit.
Celebrating the rich legacy of sport and athleticism within the state of Alabama, UWSWA builds on this partnership by inviting active and retired professional athletes from across all fields of play to take part in the tournament each year.
This year, the following active and retired NFL players participated in the event:
- AJ McCarron (Cincinnati Bengals) – Honoree Event Co-Chair
- Joey Jones (NFL Retired) – Honoree Event Co-Chair
- Paul Crane (NFL Retired)
- Reese Dismukes (NFL Free Agent)
- Scott Hunter (NFL Retired)
- Kevin Norwood (New York Giants)
- Ray Perkins (NFL Retired)
- Sherman Williams (NFL Retired)
“I am proud to partner with United Way in their work to improve the communities of Southwest Alabama” said event co-chair Jones. “I grew up in Mobile and I want to see the best for our area. Anytime there is an event like this I want to be a part of it because there’s no better feeling than giving back to your community and I know everyone who came and supported this event feels the same way.”
“We greatly appreciate these athletes for coming out today and donating their time and talents to help raise awareness about United Way and our work,” said UWSWA President & CEO Clifford Grimes. “This tournament allows us the chance to recognize and say thank you to some of the football legends that came out of the state of Alabama and at the same time help our community.”
Over the past two years, the event has raised more than $56,000. The funds raised through this event are used to help United Way achieve its mission of improving the quality of life in the communities of Southwest Alabama.
United Way of Southwest Alabama partners with 48 local nonprofits to fight for the health, education, financial stability, and access to life’s basic essentials for every person in every community we serve in Choctaw, Clarke, Mobile, and Washington counties.