2009 Celebrities
Seth Joyner is the Celebrity Host for Par & Poker Celebrity Challenge for Charity. Joyner was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 8th round of the 1986 NFL Draft. Joyner played in the NFL as a linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles (1986-1993), Arizona Cardinals (1994-1996), Green Bay Packers (1997), and the Denver Broncos (1998). Joyner's unique combination of strength and quickness allowed him to excel in all defensive statistical categories and propelled him to three Pro Bowl accolades; being selected in 1991, 1993, and 1994. In one Monday Night game in 1991 against the Houston Oilers, Joyner, playing with a 102-degree fever, recorded eight solo tackles, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two sacks. He was named NFL Player of the Year by Sports Illustrated that very same year and received runner-up honors for Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year , while a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. He won Super Bowl XXXIII as a member of the Broncos in 1999, which turned out to be his last game. Is one of only nine members in the 20/20 Club for interceptions and sacks in NFL history.
Julius “Dr. J” Erving won three championships, four Most Valuable Player Awards, and three scoring titles while playing with the ABA's Virginia Squires and New York Nets and the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers. He is the fifth-highest scorer in professional basketball history, with 30,026 points (NBA and ABA combined). Erving was named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time team and in 1993 was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Dr. J revolutionized the game of basketball taking it from a below the rim game to an above the rim style of ball. He is regarded as one of the best dunkers of all time, with his signature dunk being the” tomahawk” slam.
Ozzie Smith is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2003, he was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame. Nicknamed "The Wizard of Oz", he is widely cited as one of the greatest defensive players of all time, having won 13 Gold Glove Awards during his career. Smith is remembered for his acrobatics in the field as a versatile shortstop and for the ritual back flip he performed before opening days, All-Star Games, and postseason games.
Lawrence Taylor nicknamed L.T., is a retired Hall of Fame American football player. Taylor played his entire professional career as a linebacker for the New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL). He is often considered to be one of the greatest defensive players in the history of football, and has been called the greatest defensive player of all time by media members, former players, and coaches. He was named first-team All-Pro in each of his first nine seasons and was a key member of the Giants' defense, nicknamed "The Big Blue Wrecking Crew", that led New York to Super Bowl XXI and XXV victories.
Eric Dickerson is a former professional running back in the National Football League (NFL) who in his career played for the Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons. An immediate pro success, he established rookie records for most rushing attempts (390), most rushing yards gained (1,808) and most touchdowns rushing (18). His efforts earned him All-Pro, Pro Bowl, Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors. Dickerson became the seventh back to gain more than 10,000 yards and the fastest ever to do so, reaching the milestone in just 91 games. During his 11-year career, Dickerson gained 13,259 yards rushing, which was second all-time at the time of his retirement, and rushed for 90 touchdowns. He gained another 2,137 yards and 6 touchdowns on 281 pass receptions. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Dickerson was All-Pro in 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987 and 1988. In 1999, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the first and so far only Colt to be inducted since the team's move from Baltimore. Also in 1999, he was ranked number 38 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.
Jim McMahon – A standout NFL Quarterback from 1982-1996. After a season of collegiate football at BYU where McMahon left with 70 NCAA records, the Chicago Bears drafted Jim in the first round of the 1982 NFL Draft. As a free spirit, McMahon took very little time adjusting to the NFL game, starting as a rookie and leading the team to the playoffs. McMahon’s career highlight came in 1985, as he lead the Chicago Bears to a victory in Super Bowl XX, where Jim became the first QB in the history of the Super Bowl to rush for two touchdowns. McMahon’s career highlights include the Davey O’Brien Award, a Pro-Bowl, NFL-NFC Rookie of the Year, 2 Super Bowl wins, and the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Paul Azinger – A PGA Tour veteran, with 15 worldwide tour victories including the 1993 PGA Championship. Azinger is widely known for his victorious battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. One of golf’s most cherished honor was bestowed upon Azinger, as he was named the 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain. Paul ended the recent European dominance in Ryder Cup matches as he led the U.S. team to its first victory since 1999. Azinger is also a very accomplished poker player, competing in the 2006 & 2008 WSOP’s main event.
Marcus Allen is a former NFL player. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,411 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997. He scored 145 touchdowns including a then league record 123 rushing touchdowns and was elected to six Pro Bowls when he retired. He was also a fairly good passer for a running back, completing 12 of 27 passes for 285 yards and 6 touchdowns, with only 1 interception. Allen was the first player ever to gain more than 10,000 rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards during his career. Allen is considered as one of the greatest goal line and short-yardage runners in National Football League history. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003. He is the older brother of Damon Allen, who plays in the Canadian Football League. In his rookie season in 1982, he rushed for 697 yards as he led the Raiders to the best record in the AFC with a strike-shortened 8-1 record and was elected as NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Allen is best remembered for his heroics in Super Bowl XVIII. He ran for 191 yards, caught 2 passes for 18 yards, and scored 2 touchdowns in the Raiders 38-9 victory over the Washington Redskins. This included a 74-yard touchdown run, a record that was the longest run in Super Bowl history.
Clyde Drexler – A ten-time All-Star, member of the NBA Hall of Fame, and one of NBA’s 50 Greatest Player’s of All Time. Clyde played collegiate ball at the University of Houston alongside Hakeem Olajuwon and Larry Micheaux aka Phi Slama Jama. Clyde was drafted in the 1st round of the NBA Draft by the Portland Trailblazers and led the team to the 1990 and 1992 NBA Finals. In 1992, he was selected to the US Olympic Basketball Team “The Dream Team” that won the gold medal in Barcelona. Drexler finished his career with the Houston Rockets; where he helped the team win the 1995 NBA Finals. He is one of only three players in NBA history to have posted career totals of at least 20,000 points, 6,000 rebounds and 6,000 assists.
Roy Green is a former wide receiver in the NFL who played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1979-1987), Phoenix Cardinals (1988-1990) and Philadelphia Eagles (1991-1992). He starred as a rookie returning kicks, including a 106-yard return for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys, tying an NFL record. Green led the Cardinals in receiving in 1983, 1984 and 1988. John Madden honored Green in his annual All-Madden Team, stating that at one point, he regarded Green as not the best wide receiver in the game, but the best player. Green finished with 8,965 receiving yards on 559 receptions and 66 touchdowns.
Chili Davis is a former outfielder/designated hitter who played in Major League Baseball with the San Francisco Giants (1981-87), California Angels (1988-90, 1993-96), Minnesota Twins (1991-92), Kansas City Royals (1997) and New York Yankees (1998-99). In a 19-year career, Davis was a .274 hitter with 350 home runs and 1372 RBI in 2436 games. Chili won 3 World Series Titles as well as a three time All Star. Chili ranks high in all major batting statistical categories.
Lon McEachern – A poker analyst who’s most known for providing witty commentary on the World Series of Poker on ESPN. McEachern is also the host of On The Pole on the Fox network. Lon has also hosted K-1 kickboxing, martial arts, scrabble and billiards on ESPN. Currently, Lon has teamed up with the legendary Ken Shamrock to provide commentary for Strikeforce on NBC
Ed Moses is a world class swimmer who won a gold and silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics. Leading into the Olympic Games, Moses broke the American record at the 2000 Olympic Trials. Moses swam for the University of Virginia and won the NCAA Championship in the 100- and 200- meter breaststroke events in 2000. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 2004 with a degree in sports medicine. At the NCAA Championships in 2000, Moses set the world record for the 100m and 200m breaststroke. On January 23, 2002 Moses set a new world record of 57.47 in the 100m breaststroke. In January 2002, Moses also set a new world record in the 200m breaststroke, which he bested on January 17, 2004 with a time of 2:02.92.
Bret Saberhagen – A retired MLB star pitcher played for the Royals, Mets, Rockies, and Red Sox. Bret enjoyed a long and prestigious career as he garnered such awards as: 3-time All-Star, 2-time AL Cy Young Winner, World Series MVP, Gold Glove Winner, as well as being inducted into Kansas City Royal's Hall of Fame. Saberhagen helped the Royals win the 1985 World Series Title. Saberhagen was recently named to the 2007 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot.
Alfonso Ribeiro began his acting career in the drama Oye Willie at the age of eight. By the time he was ten, he had released such songs as: "Dance Baby", "Not Too Young", & "Sneak Away with Me." His first brush with true stardom came in 1983, when he originated the title role of the Broadway musical The Tap Dance Kid, receiving rave reviews for his performance. He also appeared in one of Michael Jackson's Pepsi commercials as a dancer in 1984. The same year, Ribeiro was cast as Rick Schroder's best friend on the TV series Silver Spoons. He also sang in a commercial for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ribeiro is best known for his role as spoiled rich-kid Carlton Banks in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air from 1990 to 1996. He is also known for his role on LL Cool J's show In the House and as the host of Your Big Break. Ribeiro has acted and been part of the crew on many movies and TV shows. In 1997, he performed the voice of Roland Jackson in Extreme Ghostbusters. He has also appeared in Smith's "Wild Wild West" video in 1999, and in a McDonald's commercial in 2003.
Neil Lomax – a standout college player at Portland State University, going from fifth-string freshman quarterback on partial scholarship to emergency starter to NCAA legend. He was drafted fifth by the-then St. Louis Cardinals in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft. Two Pro Bowl (1984 and 1987).
Grant Show – Actor, best known for his role as Jake Hanson on the popular Melrose Place from 1992-97. Show has starred in many television roles and movies such as; Ryan’s Hope (where he received a Daytime Emmy), Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place (gracing the cover of TV Guide & People Magazine), Models Inc, Blessed Assurance, Between Love and Honor, Homeland Security, Point Pleasant, Six Feet Under, Beautiful People, On the Waterfront, The Glass Menagerie, Broadway’s Wit, and most recently Swingtown seen on CBS.
Joe Carter – A retired MLB All-Star who played professional baseball from 1983 to 1998. Carter played OF for the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, and the San Francisco Giants. Joe is most known for hitting a walk-off homerun to win the 1993 World Series, one of two World Series rings Carter owns. Carter has hit 3 home runs in a single game in 5 separate appearances. Joe’s career includes such accolades as: 5-time All-Star, 2-time Silver Slugger Award, and MLB’s league leader in RBI’s. Recently, Joe was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
Fred Williamson – Nicknamed “The Hammer”, Williamson is a former star defensive back in both the NFL and AFL, playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, and Kansas City Chiefs. Williamson’s standout career included an AFL Championship in 1966, while being named a three-time AFL All-Star. After retiring from football, The Hammer turned to acting starring in movies such as; Three the Hard Way, Take a Hard Ride, One Down-Two to Go, Original Gangstas, Tell Me That You Love Me-Junie Moon, Black Caesar and On The Edge. Williamson also starred in televisions The Cloud Minders, Star Trek, Julia and Starsky & Hutch. Williamson is also an accomplished Director and Producer.b
Past Celebrity Participants
Seth Joyner Ozzie Smith Lawrence Taylor Marcus Allen Eric Dickerson Julius ‘Dr. J.’ Erving Phil Nevin * 2008 Golf Champion Clyde Drexler Bob Lanier Keith Byars Roy Green Chili Davi Ed Moses Brett Saberhagen Len ‘Truck’ Robinson Rob Moore
|
Alfonso Ribiero Todd McFarlane Jim McMahon Claude Lemieux Neil Lomax Tim Raines Greg Raymer Paul Sorrento Dave Krieg Grant Show Kwame Lassiter Fred ‘The Hammer’ Williamson Efren Herrera Joe Carter |