Chargers Join STAR/PAL & SD Community For Youth

Market Creek Events and Venues – At the Joe & Vi Jacobs Center – San Diego

The 14^th Annual Celebrity Waiter Luncheon

The entire San Diego community joined together for the 14th Annual Celebrity Waiter Luncheon at the Joe & Vi Jacobs Center in San Diego.  Jerseys and uniforms clad with small red aprons; Chargers, Padres, the SD Fire & Police departments, former NFL and NBA players, Aztecs, Sockers and even golf pros all came together Friday to join together for one cause to help kids, through STAR/PAL. Their mission to empower underserved youth to build a safer and more prosperous community by engaging with law enforcement and collaborative partners.

Aztec's HC Steve Fisher & Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman photo ©desiree astorga

 SD Chief of Police Shelley Zimmerman  "We have the Chargers, we have the Padres, we have community leaders that are out here. It just goes to show we are one department, one city, all for one thing, that's to to raise funds to help our underserved youth, because it doesn't matter where you live, to feel safe, you should feel safe no matter where you live and this gives you, our community an opportunity to help all our kids."

From Chiefs to linebackers, pitchers to counsel members, forwards to dunkers, coaches, officers, chippers, Swinging Friars, pom poms, Chopper and kickers along with business owners and fireman, all in attendance for a community. Pretty much the most amazing event I’ve ever been at with an entire city working together, all giving back for at risk kids for San Diego.

Manti Te'o posing with fan photo ©desireeastorga

Manti Te'o  "Anytime you get to have an impact on people in whatever way or fashion it's always good, a lot of people are here to make a difference, it's a good cause."

Kendall Reyes in action photo ©desireeastorga

Kendall Reyes "This is awesome, just to give back anyway I can, this is the second year doing and it's honestly one of my favorite events. Kind of get everyone together and then we go out and just to see the looks on some peoples faces, they're just so excited to see us and all goes towards a good cause, there is nothing wrong with that."

Padres' Yasmani Grandal and Yonder Alonso helping and having fun photo ©desireeastorga

Tons of smiles, laughter, photos, media from all facets throughout San Diego, oh and one crucial item, the sharpie. With an abundance of athletes, as on the field competition sets in to who could bring in the most, was like vying for position on game day. In a fundraising setting it's only a win-win. Players buzzing from table to table in small red aprons, signatures were prevalent and abundant just like the San Diego sun, as were the photos. Manti even had a line waiting.

DJ and Jeromey, with sharpies and smiles, as SD Policeman looks on photo ©desireeastorga

D.J. Fluker  "It was very competitive, (chuckle),
Just raising money for STAR/PAL and meeting a lot of owners from different organizations, different companies come in and donate money for the kids. I think that the event was beautiful to see everyone bond together and get to know each other,  I think it was great………… makes me feel honored."

Seyi Ajirotutu and Zach Boren signing away photo ©desireeastorga

Seyi Ajirotutu  "It's special to be a part. just a small part of helping kids out, also just helping out with the Chargers and helping out with all the different organizations that are present here , I just like to help out and do my part here."

Kendall Reyes, Manti Te'o and Jeromey Clarey photo ©desireeastorga

The Chargers having a huge turn out with rookies, veterans, sophomores, PR and Community Relations all present with players:
Seyi Ajirotutu, Zach Boren, Jeromey Clary, D.J. Fluker, Kwame Geathers, Corey Liuget, David Johnson, Kendall Reyes, Willie Smith, Manti Te’o, Tourek Williams and even former Linebacker Billy Ray Smith.

Billy Ray Smith with young fan photo ©desireeastorga

Willie Smith  "It's a big thing for me, its my first time being here so didn't really know what event was all about, just heard it was giving back to kids, so just wanting to be apart of any way I can."

Kwame Geathers with SD Council Member, Scott Sherman photo ©desireeastorga

Kwame Geathers "It means a lot to be able to come out and knowing your going to an event that is gonna help someone become better in life and just coming in, doing it and enjoying and having lots of fun."

Ohio State in the house! Zach Boren with Chief Shelley Zimmerman photo ©desireeastorga

Zach Boren  "I love it, back in Ohio State we used to do outreaches all the time and i was really involved with all that , so when i got here the first week I met the outreach people, Chase and everyone, i told them i wanted to be involved right away…….its something I really enjoy doing."

Jeromey Clarey with SD Fire photo ©desireeastorga

Police had new job syllabus which included serving lunches, drinks and even counting the proceeds conjured by the athletes and amidst it all a live auctioneer, the Padres, Mark Grant on the mic as well and even Steve Fisher was on stage showcasing a prize gift earned by his Aztecs all joining forces for kids.

SD SWAT reppin photo ©desireeastorga

Srgt Michael Ramsey, Swat Team for SD Police  "Its actually incredible, it's great to see so many people, volunteers, celebrities and members of the police department just step up with our youth and just bridge that gap to help a program for the city and county of San Diego."

SD Policeman slash waiter for the day photo ©desireeastorga

It was truly a proud moment to be a San Diegian watching an entire community rallying all to give back, united for youth, truly a beautiful day with a wonderful cause.


Desiree

Photographer, producer, host, reporter, radio & TV, One-man-army, artist, skateboarder Time out with Desiree, the silver linings An optimistic realist with intermittent football tourettes all the while searching for the 3rd dimension. TheDesireeSHOW

NFL Quick Weekly Wrap Plus

Bans, count downs, cut off dates, Cinco and projections……but who really cares except that in less than a week the NFL draft Round 1 commences. The NBA made world news this week and although this is an NFL column, I can’t not at least brush on what happened, all ears on Tuesday at 11:00 AM tuned in to hear the new NBA commish, Adam Silver's verdict, It went live over every media outlet possible, I think more media attention to this than the missing Malaysian airplane. No needs to even give a link… you all have heard that Donald Sterling is banned for life from the NBA (completely exiled), the max NBA fine of $2.5M and highly urged to sell.

All I can say is the way this went down, really disturbs me, period… It just sits wrong with me. Jason Whitlock article encompassed my views, he nailed it and it’s opened a can of worms which has made every athlete, owner and gm vulnerable with vengeful cling-ons. In addition, the source of why, now don't get me wrong, there were plenty of other legitimate noted times this could have been done straight, in fact he has a renowned checkered past, but do it without TMZ and without the call girl.
Jason Whitlock, definitely always a great read with amazing perspective. Along with an article with former NBA player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the Times.

"It's time to look at ourselves — and our collective moral outrage — in the mirror," says  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Calendar Key Dates

May 2 Deadline for Restricted Free Agents to sign Offer Sheets.
May 5 Cinco de Mayo  
May 7 Deadline for Prior Club to exercise Right of First Refusal to Restricted Free Agents.
May 8-10 2014 NFL Draft, New York City, New York.

One week from tonight, it's here. Finally! 2014 NFL Draft airs on ESPN May 8 at 8 pm ET. http://t.co/3z4Q1izvVmhttp://t.co/8pVlqrPHyy
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 1, 2014

Hold On!  Few odds and ends!

2014 NFL Draft: Top 6 picks/total selections
1. Texans (11)
2. Rams (12)
3. Jaguars (11)
4. Browns (10)
5. Raiders (7)
6. Falcons (10)
Headlines, feeds, beat writers, coaches and GM's all  are crazy with  2 extra weeks even the NFL analysis are poking fun at themselves and everyones got their mock draft too.
Two additional weeks of subterfuge, Our experts chat about the extra two weeks before the 2014 NFL Draft and the overanalyzing that has ensued because of the extra time."

Common theme from GMs over the last week: The more they watch film of these draft prospects, the less they like. Extra time has taken a toll — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 1, 2014

Trent Richardson learned more in a week than in a season.

“I’m learning a lot, as much as I’ve learned in this last week, [it's] much more than I learned last year,” Richardson said, via the Colts’ website. “The off-season is very important because you have a chance to vibe with your team, to build that respect, to build that trust and then to build that team chemistry with your offensive line, with your quarterback. Knowing the concept of a play is the biggest thing because when it comes down to it, if you just remember what you’re doing, that’s not good enough. I remembered the playbook last year. I know it now.  I’m learning a lot this year.”

Congratulations to Earl Thomas who becomes the first $10M a year saftey,  Seahawks re-sign long term deal.
While per ESPN,  Teddy Bridgewater purchased an insurance policy while still in school.

Teddy Bridgewater purchased ‘loss-of-value’ insurance policy ahead of 2014 NFL draft: http://t.co/jMeq2NumWh
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 29, 2014

  With complete word block, I'm out! Next time I'll be writing we will be starting the selections!   Cheers, Desiree