THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 20, 1995 TAG: 9504200179
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
PITTSBURGH STEELERS' Larry Griffin and Darren Perry, and the Philadelphia Eagles' William Fuller invited a few good friends back home to Chesapeake to play. But it wasn't to trounce opponents on the local gridiron.
Instead, without shoulder pads and helmets, they came to play basketball.
Last Thursday, Steelers, Dolphins, Buccaneers and Bears went to Oscar Smith High School to play in the first Tidewater Celebrity Basketball Game to benefit local youth AAU baseball and to support Hampton Roads Child Abuse Prevention.
Griffin, 1981 Great Bridge High School graduate, Perry, a 1981 Deep Creek graduate and William Fuller, a 1980 Indian River graduate, were the celebrity hosts. The Bank of Hampton Roads, USAir, Womble Realty and the Holiday Inn-Greenbrier sponsored the event.
Steelers Rod Woodson, Carnell Lake, Greg Lloyd, Barry Foster, Ernie Mills and Yancy Thigpen joined with Eric Green of the Miami Dolphins and Thomas Everett and Hardy Nickerson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jeff Graham of the Chicago Bears, plus many others, in donating team memorabilia, signing autographs, and shooting hoops in an almost-serious basketball game.
It clearly looked like Pittsburgh territory as about 750 fans swarmed the Oscar Smith gym decked out in Steeler hats, T-shirts and jerseys. They clutched cards and offered scraps of paper, footballs and even the back of their shirts for autographs.
Michael Boyd of Suffolk, Kevin Vavrek of Portsmouth and Robert Friar of Chesapeake went with autograph books in hand and hopes of buying a signed jersey.
``Darren Perry is the drawing figure here,'' said Boyd, who has 700 autographs in his collection. ``I'm looking to add about 12 other names to my collection. Boy, what an opportunity.''
During the game there were more misses than swishes of the basket. Although there was no gained yardage, there was rushing, interceptions, penalties, plenty of footwork and quite a few ``Hail Mary'' passes.
Even though the ball changed hands frequently, the fans loved every minute of the action. But their affections were just as fickle as some of the players' moves.
The crowd cheered for the East team and then the West. Then they cheered for whoever had the ball.
Perry sank the first 3-pointer from the foul line and Mills showed some fancy dribbling and footwork before grabbing the rim to dunk the ball in the second quarter. Foster wowed the crowd by throwing in a 3-pointer.
``I'm excited about being able to come back and help plus have a little fun.'' said Fuller. ``Even though Griffin and I face each other on the field, we are good friends and support many causes involving kids like Ronald McDonald House and Special Olympics.''
``I've known Larry Griffin for nine years, '' said Woodson. ``And I agree with him, we have to do anything we can to help the kids.''
Woodson, one of the most sought-after celebs, was bombarded before and after the game.
``You can count on me to be back next year,'' said Green Run High School graduate Keith Goganious, formerly a Buffalo Bill and now a Jacksonville Jaguar.
``It's great,'' said Tony Weaver, a fan from Chesapeake. ``Fuller, Perry and Griffin are big names and they're from here. For them to come back and bring their friends to meet all these kids just makes them bigger heroes.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by STEVE EARLEY
Ron Woodson of the Pittsburgh Steelers sign autographs during
halftime of the first Tidewater Celebrity Basketball Game.
Indian River grad William Fuller, who plays for the Eagles,
encourages his team.
by CNB