Gridiron Kings Rule at Disney World

Zone Ready Press Release 7.25.09

Gridiron Kings Rule at Disney World®

Orlando, FL – The vision was nothing short of a dream.  ESPN Rise© assembled the best 64 high school football skill position players at one location, for one weekend, for one purpose: a passing tournament without equal.  Champion® sports apparel fueled the event that took place at the lush football fields at Disney’s Wide World of Sports®.  The very best high school quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, linebackers, and defensive backs were brought in from all over the country forming four teams to represent their respective parts of the country.  Team colors were assigned, game plans were devised, and a round robin “7on7” passing tournament began in the only place where dreams can come true.

One could go on and on about this star studded cast of athletes selected.  Without exception, all players involved are arguably the best at their position.  Their superlative skills were not only in regards to their physical ability, but their football smarts as well.  “It’s not easy for any football player at any age to learn a new offense or defense in a day’s time.  But these guys were hand picked because they can do just that,” exclaims Mike Fletcher – 10 year Canadian football veteran and defensive coordinator for the Southwest squad.  Wise beyond their years, these future college football stars proved their elite status time and time again.  Check out this list – because without a doubt, these will be names (along with their respective positions and origins) that will be the future stars of College football Saturdays:

·    Latwan Anderson – FS from Glenville HS in OH

·    Chris Badger – S from Timpview HS in UT

·    Dillon Baxter – WR from Mission Bay CA

·    Aaron Benson – LB from Cedar Hill TX

·    Kadron Boone – WR from Trinity Catholic HS FL

·    Christian Bryant – CB from Glenville HS in OH

·    Victor Burnett II – LB from Culver City HS in CA

·    Devon Carrington – S from Hamilton HS in AZ

·    Cullen Christian – CB from Penn Hills HS in PA

·    Gerald Christian – TE from Dwyer HS in FL

·    Brennan Clay – RB from Scripps Ranch HS in CA

·    Demarco Cobbs – ATH from Tulsa Central HS in OK

·    Corey Cooper – FS from Proviso East HS in IL

·    Adrian Coxson – WR from Baltimore City College HS in MD

·    Ahmad Dixon – S from Waco Midway HS in TX

·    Jon Dowling – S from Southeast Bradenton HS in FL

·    Matthew Elam – S from Dwyer HS in FL

·    Roy Finch – RB from Niceville HS in FL

·    Nick Forbes – LB from Thomas Johnson HS in MD

·    Khairi Fortt – LB from Stamord HS in CT

·    Jeffery Godfrey – QB from Miami Central in FL

·    Taylor Graham – QB from Wheaton North HS in IL

·    Christian Green – ATH from Tampa Catholic HS in FL

·    Toney Hurd Jr. – S from Thurgood Marshall HS in TX

·    Brandon Ifill – ATH from Penn Hills HS in PA

·    Tevin Jackson – LB from Garland HS in TX

·    Jordan James – RB in Corona HS in CA

·    Anthony Jefferson – WR/DB from Cathedral HS in CA

·    Westleigh Johnson – RB from Loganville HS in GA

·    Christian Jones – LB from Lake Howell HS in FL

·    DJ Jones – RB from Denison HS in TX

·    Harrison Jones – TE in Evangelical Christian in TN

·    Muchie Legaux – QB from Edna Karr HS in LA

·    Shaun Lewis – LB from Hightower HS in TX

·    Eddrick Lofton – S from Irving Nimintz HS in TX

·    Jeff Luc – LB from Treasure Coast HS in FL

·    AJ Marshall – CB in Durham Southern HS in NC

·    Chris Martin – TE from the Hunn School in NJ

·    Dior Mathis – DB from Cass Technical HS in MI

·    Ivan McCartney III – WR in Miramar HS in FL

·    Justin McCay – WR in Bishop Miege HS in KS

·    Demarcus Milliner – CB from Stanhope Elmore HS in AL

·    Aramide Olaniyan – LB from Woodberry Forest VA

·    Adrian Phillips – CB from Garland HS in TX

·    Kyle Prater – WR from Proviso West HS in IL

·    Silas Redd Jr. – RB from King HS in CT

·    Trovon Reed – WR from Thibodaux HS in LA

·    Shaquille Richardson – CB from Los Alamitos HS in CA

·    Dietrich Riley – ATH from St. Francis HS in CA

·    Marvin Robinson – LB from Lake Region HS in FL

·    Kenny Shaw – WR from Dr. Phillip’s HS in FL

·    Joshua Shaw – S from Palmdale HS in CA

·    Alex Smith – TE from Lakota West HS in OH

·    Telvin Smith – LB from Lowndes GA

·    Tyler Stephenson – DB from Lancaster HS in TX

·    Kenny Stills – WR from La Costa Canyon HS in CA

·    Peter Thomas – QB from Valhalia CA

·    Jaylen Watkins – CB from Cape Coral HS in FL

·    Austin White – RB from Stevenson HS in MI

·    Darius White – WR from Dunbar TX

·    Cecil Whiteside – LB from Newport HS in CA

·    Dantae Williams – RB from Aldine TX

·    Demetrius Wright Jr. – CB from Corona HS in CA

·    Louis Young – DB from Good Counsel HS in MD

These young guys weren’t on their own; former NFL stars contributed their time, energy, and knowledge to make this an outstanding and memorable weekend for all involved.  Coaches were encouraged to share their experience not only in the Xs and Os department, but also in the character and personal development part of life.  6 year NFL vet and West offensive coordinator Browning Nagle said it best to this group of young student-athletes, “As important as it is to make plays, it’s even more important to be a professional.  This is about doing the right thing when no one’s watching – it’s what the great ones use as a philosophy to succeed at their position and in their life as well.”  Here’s a collection of the men who coached the inaugural Gridiron Kings along with their collegiate Alma Mater and Pro experience:

·    Stacy Bailey – San Jose St. & 9 year NFL Vet

·    Donnell Bennett – Miami & 8 year NFL Vet

·    Jeff Blake – East Carolina & 14 year NFL Vet

·    Michael Fletcher – Oregon & 9 year CFL Vet

·    Chris Gizzi – Air Force & 4 year NFL Vet

·    Brandon Hancock - USC

·    Eugene Jackson - Oregon

·    Lonnie Marts – Tulane & 10 year NFL Vet

·    Terence Mathis – New Mexico & 13 year NFL Vet

·    Louis Oliver – Florida & 8 Year NFL Vet

·    Browning Nagle -  Loiusville & 6 year NFL Vet, 2 year AFL Vet

·    Hardy Nickerson – California & 16 year NFL Vet

·    Carl Pickens – Tennessee & 9 year NFL Vet

·    Lamar Thomas – Miami & 8 year NFL Vet

This weekend really was more about developing the complete student-athlete.  It is the lifestyle that all teenage sports men and women are and should aspire to.  It is why companies like ESPN Rise organize events that go beyond just the sport.  The vision really is about the whole event the process.  Many share this dream to bring the focus of sports to develop the whole athlete, the whole person.  Coach Chris Gizzi, 4 year NFL veteran, Midwest defensive coordinator, and owner of ZoneReady© echoes his company’s battle cry – Choose Victory.  “All young athletes need to know that the focus and passion they bring to their sport can also be brought to every facet of their life.  Success is a choice and if it starts in one place in a young person’s life – like sports – then it can carry over into other areas as well.  Let’s continue to appropriately emphasize the importance of sports in the educational and character development process.”

Thanks to all involved who hold the bar a little higher.  Sports are more than just entertainment; they are the most valuable training grounds to develop character, discipline, and self esteem.  Let’s all work together to continue the support of developing the entire student-athlete.