SABF News

thursday, May 2, 2013

Washington Redskin Favorites, Pierre Garçon And Chris Cooley, Join 2013 Wells Fargo Sports Breakfast Lineup

Redskin fans rejoice! Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® President, Lou Ann Thompson, is pleased to announce that Washington Redskins playmaking wide receiver, Pierre Garçon, has joined the growing line-up of stars at the 2013 Wells Fargo Sports Breakfast. Garçon joins NFL Hall of Famer, Rod Woodson, NASCAR legend, Bill Elliott, NBA 10,000+ point scorer, Johnny Newman, and, inimitable emcee, Ken Mease, at the Sports Breakfast podium. Garçon will also be in attendance at the Grand Feature Parade with the Washington Redskins Band and current and former Washington Redskins Cheerleaders, sponsored by Rubbermaid. Garçon was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft with the 205th overall pick. He displayed himself as a deep threat in Peyton Manning's offense, recording 47 receptions, 765 yards, and four touchdowns in his second season. In 2010, Garçon had the starting spot most of the season. By the end of the season, he had 67 receptions for 784 yards and six touchdowns. During the 2011 season, despite Peyton Manning being out the entire season due to injury, Garçon had his best season with the Colts. He started in all 16 games of the season and recorded 70 receptions, 947 receiving yards, and six touchdowns. On March 13, 2012, Garçon signed a five-year $42.5 million, $20.5 million guaranteed, contract with the Washington Redskins. He was the Redskins' first free agent signing for the 2012 season. In the season opening 40-32 win against the New Orleans Saints, he scored the first touchdown. After catching a 16-yard pass from Robert Griffin III, Garçon ran for an additional 72 yards and a touchdown, which gave Griffin his first career touchdown. Unfortunately, he struggled much of the rest of the season with a serious foot injury.

Also announced today is the attendance of Redskin fan favorite, Chris Cooley! Chris attended Utah State University where he majored in Art Education. As a true freshman he was pressed into duty as a defensive end and finished the year with 19 tackles and two sacks. He also forced one fumble and recovered another. This would be his only defensive action in college. During a promising junior season Chris earned the team's Golden Helmet award as the team’s hardest hitter, finished third in receptions on the team, and was placed on the preseason watch list for the John Mackey award. Chris finished college much like he finished high school by having the most productive year by a tight end in Utah State’s history. Chris finished the season by leading all tight ends in the nation for receptions and was the runner up for the John Mackey award. After becoming the first non-wide receiver to lead the team in catches, he was voted the team’s offensive MVP. Chris finished his collegiate career with 95 receptions for 1,255 yards. Following the football season, Chris was named USU’s male athlete of the year. After being selected 81st overall by the Washington Redskins in the 2004 NFL draft, Chris has done nothing but impress people with his ability to make plays on the football field. In only his second year he broke the Redskins single season record for catches by a tight end with 71 and was the team’s nominee for the league’s Walter Payton award. In his short career, he has already caught 231 balls and racked up 2600 yards and 27 touchdowns. He has made a name for himself as one of the top tight ends in the league by earning a spot on the 2008 Pro Bowl roster after serving as an alternate in the previous three seasons.

There are still a limited amount of Sports Breakfast tickets on sale. The Festival Store at 107 Millwood Avenue is open Thursday, May 2nd, from 9am to 7pm; and, Friday, May 3rd, from 9am to 4pm. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door of the event at the Winchester Moose Family Center on East Cork Street.

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