The most impressive football game wasn’t played at Metlife Stadium last weekend; it was at South Mountain Reservation Complex in West Orange, New Jersey!
The Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team, 9/11 first responders from New York and New Jersey, and over 30 NFL legends squared off in a charity flag football game that showcased why our citizens are #JerseyStrong. Participants included former New York Giant Jim Burt, New York Jet Joe Klecko, retired Pittsburgh Steeler Rocky Bleier, NFL Hall-of-Famers Jack Youngblood and Anthony Munoz, Green Bay Packer legend Jerry Kramer and ESPN’s Tim Hasselbeck.
Besides dazzling the packed crowd with their football prowess, the participants were very generous of their time, posing for numerous photos and signing autographs prior to kickoff. The legendary 70’s group The Village People performed their greatest hits at halftime, and there was even a marriage proposal at the 50-yard line!
“Essex County rocks!” exclaimed New York Giants legend Phil McConkey to our own Lisa Marie Latino.
That sentiment was echoed throughout Lisa Marie’s chats with former Philadelphia Eagle and the inspiration for the movie “Invincible”, Vince Papale; New York Giants Super Bowl champion Leonard Marshall; ESPN’s Dave Stevens and Colonel Gregory D. Gadson, a bilateral above-the-knee amputee who served as a source of inspiration for the Giants historic Super Bowl XLVII run. Lisa Marie also spoke with retired football pro, Joe Andruzzi, who was there to support his three brothers that sacrificed their lives during the September 11 attack. Joe is no stranger to heroics himself, however- he is credited for rescuing numerous people at the finish line during last year’s tragic Boston Marathon bombing.
Only in New Jersey did you find these megawatt sports stars during Super Bowl Week!
For more information on Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Challenge, visit their website.
