Brenjetsfan
07-14-2006, 07:46 AM
NFL stars come from far and wide to help Holcomb
By JOSH EZZELL
ezzell@dnj.com (ezzell@dnj.com)
Detroit Lions tight end Marcus Pollard wanted to help out a friend.
Therefore, he was willing to travel a long distance in a short period of time. http://www.dnj.com/graphics/ad_arrow.gifADVERTISEMENT http://www.dnj.com/graphics/ad_arrow.gif
OAS_AD('ArticleFlex_1'); http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N3285.gannett/B1684634.7;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;dcadv=1055044;sz=300x 250;ord=809139718? (http://www.jetnation.com/forums/)Helping his friend, former MTSU standout and current Buffalo Bills quarterback Kelly Holcomb, required him to fly from New York to Atlanta Monday and then catch a flight from Atlanta to Middle Tennessee Tuesday morning. But Pollard didn't mind because he was traveling to compete in the Second Annual Kelly Holcomb Celebrity Golf Tournament at Stones River Country Club on Tuesday.
"I enjoy playing golf," said Pollard, who was a teammate of Holcomb's with the Indianapolis Colts. "The biggest thing's to help Kelly. Anything like this I want to be a part of."
Twenty-five sponsors donated money Tuesday with the hope of helping either the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon counties or Child Development Center of Lincoln County, which is where Holcomb grew up and played high school football. Twenty-eight fivesomes competed.
Two sponsors — Toot's and Ole South Properties — donated $5,000 to United Way, while eight were eight gold sponsors, which means they donated $2,000 to either United Way or the Child Development Center of Lincoln County. The Silver Sponsors donated $1,000 to either the United Way or the Child Development Center of Lincoln County.
"A couple of people from my hometown (Fayetteville) talked to me about doing something," Holcomb said. "Hopefully we'll make some money for the United Way and the Child Development Center. (The Development Center's) a good program. It helps kids."
Of the 25 sponsors, 15 donated money to the United Way, and 10 gave to the Child Development Center. Six of the Gold Sponsors donated money to the United Way, and seven of the Silver Sponsors donated money to the United Way.
"It does a world of good," said Tom Starling, president of United Way of Rutherford County. "It raises money, but mostly it raises awareness for United Way. Sometimes I feel like the United Way's the best-kept secret."
United Way works with people and organizations to address community issues. The money raised will go toward the United Way campaign, and the campaign goal is $2.5 million.
The total amount of money raised for the United Way and Child Development Center of Rutherford County isn't known yet.
The Child Development Center of Lincoln County works with children from the time of birth until age 3 who have developmental delays. Holcomb's tournament is the development center's biggest fund-raiser.
"We're really indebted," said Helen Lowe, development center manager. "This will help."
Others took a break from preparing for their upcoming sports seasons to play golf and help charities.
All it took for Tennessee Titans center Kevin Mawae was a call from Holcomb to get involved. Holcomb, an acquaintance, called Mawae and asked if he would be interested. Mawae agreed and decided to make the trip from his home in Franklin to Murfreesboro.
"I want to be a part of the community," Mawae said. "It's for United Way. It helps out a good cause. We've been blessed to play (professional sports). We need to give back."
As for his golf game, though, Mawae said not to expect much.
"My handicap is the fact that I'm even here," Mawae said. "I have clubs but not much of a game."
Former MTSU linebacker Mike Caldwell, who was a teammate of Holcomb's in college and played in the NFL for 11 years, also wanted to play for a worthy cause. All he needed was an invitation from Holcomb.
"I always wanted to go back (to Murfreesboro)," said Caldwell, who now lives in the Atlanta area. "Anytime I have a chance to help Kelly it's good."
MTSU athletic director Chris Massaro also wanted to help Holcomb.
"(Holcomb's) our most high-profile athlete," Massaro said. "I'm happy to support his hometown. Anything's Kelly's involved with is first class."
Massaro, however, isn't so sure about his golf game.
"Hopefully I'm better at the office," Massaro joked.
All joking aside, the golfers came to Murfreesboro to help the community. "It's really something," Starling said of the tournament. "This really helps." That's the goal
The failed to mention that MY MAN KEVIN was closest to the pin on one of the holes.
By JOSH EZZELL
ezzell@dnj.com (ezzell@dnj.com)
Detroit Lions tight end Marcus Pollard wanted to help out a friend.
Therefore, he was willing to travel a long distance in a short period of time. http://www.dnj.com/graphics/ad_arrow.gifADVERTISEMENT http://www.dnj.com/graphics/ad_arrow.gif
OAS_AD('ArticleFlex_1'); http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N3285.gannett/B1684634.7;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;dcadv=1055044;sz=300x 250;ord=809139718? (http://www.jetnation.com/forums/)Helping his friend, former MTSU standout and current Buffalo Bills quarterback Kelly Holcomb, required him to fly from New York to Atlanta Monday and then catch a flight from Atlanta to Middle Tennessee Tuesday morning. But Pollard didn't mind because he was traveling to compete in the Second Annual Kelly Holcomb Celebrity Golf Tournament at Stones River Country Club on Tuesday.
"I enjoy playing golf," said Pollard, who was a teammate of Holcomb's with the Indianapolis Colts. "The biggest thing's to help Kelly. Anything like this I want to be a part of."
Twenty-five sponsors donated money Tuesday with the hope of helping either the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon counties or Child Development Center of Lincoln County, which is where Holcomb grew up and played high school football. Twenty-eight fivesomes competed.
Two sponsors — Toot's and Ole South Properties — donated $5,000 to United Way, while eight were eight gold sponsors, which means they donated $2,000 to either United Way or the Child Development Center of Lincoln County. The Silver Sponsors donated $1,000 to either the United Way or the Child Development Center of Lincoln County.
"A couple of people from my hometown (Fayetteville) talked to me about doing something," Holcomb said. "Hopefully we'll make some money for the United Way and the Child Development Center. (The Development Center's) a good program. It helps kids."
Of the 25 sponsors, 15 donated money to the United Way, and 10 gave to the Child Development Center. Six of the Gold Sponsors donated money to the United Way, and seven of the Silver Sponsors donated money to the United Way.
"It does a world of good," said Tom Starling, president of United Way of Rutherford County. "It raises money, but mostly it raises awareness for United Way. Sometimes I feel like the United Way's the best-kept secret."
United Way works with people and organizations to address community issues. The money raised will go toward the United Way campaign, and the campaign goal is $2.5 million.
The total amount of money raised for the United Way and Child Development Center of Rutherford County isn't known yet.
The Child Development Center of Lincoln County works with children from the time of birth until age 3 who have developmental delays. Holcomb's tournament is the development center's biggest fund-raiser.
"We're really indebted," said Helen Lowe, development center manager. "This will help."
Others took a break from preparing for their upcoming sports seasons to play golf and help charities.
All it took for Tennessee Titans center Kevin Mawae was a call from Holcomb to get involved. Holcomb, an acquaintance, called Mawae and asked if he would be interested. Mawae agreed and decided to make the trip from his home in Franklin to Murfreesboro.
"I want to be a part of the community," Mawae said. "It's for United Way. It helps out a good cause. We've been blessed to play (professional sports). We need to give back."
As for his golf game, though, Mawae said not to expect much.
"My handicap is the fact that I'm even here," Mawae said. "I have clubs but not much of a game."
Former MTSU linebacker Mike Caldwell, who was a teammate of Holcomb's in college and played in the NFL for 11 years, also wanted to play for a worthy cause. All he needed was an invitation from Holcomb.
"I always wanted to go back (to Murfreesboro)," said Caldwell, who now lives in the Atlanta area. "Anytime I have a chance to help Kelly it's good."
MTSU athletic director Chris Massaro also wanted to help Holcomb.
"(Holcomb's) our most high-profile athlete," Massaro said. "I'm happy to support his hometown. Anything's Kelly's involved with is first class."
Massaro, however, isn't so sure about his golf game.
"Hopefully I'm better at the office," Massaro joked.
All joking aside, the golfers came to Murfreesboro to help the community. "It's really something," Starling said of the tournament. "This really helps." That's the goal
The failed to mention that MY MAN KEVIN was closest to the pin on one of the holes.