DC Touchdown Club Awards Dinner Set for April 19
The two greatest special teams players in Washington Redskins history and the coach who led the University of Maryland men’s basketball team to its first-ever national championship will headline the honorees at the DC Touchdown Club Awards Dinner presented by BuildSubmarines.com on Friday, April 19 in Bethesda, Md., benefiting Patriot Point.
Dinner tickets and Touchdown Club memberships are available at dctouchdownclub.com as the Touchdown Club honors the best and brightest in the National Capital Region’s football community, including Pro Player of the Year Ja’Whaun Bentley of the New England Patriots, who won a Timmie Award as the Maryland High School Player of the Year in 2014, and College Player of the Year Taulia Tagovailoa, who became the Big Ten Conference’s all-time leading passer.
Additionally, former Washington Redskins kicker Mark Moseley, the only kicker to be named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, will be presented the Touchdown Club’s Founder’s Award, while former Redskins running back and returner extraordinaire Brian Mitchell receives the Career Achievement Award.
University of Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams, who guided the Terrapins to the 2002 NCAA championship, will be inducted into the Club’s Circle of Legends for legendary local coaches.
“We can’t wait to recognize this group for their amazing achievements,” Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “Mark Moseley and Brian Mitchell were catalysts during the Redskins’ glory years and they join Gary Williams as icons in the Washington area for their success. This year’s group of players and coaches of the year might be the best ever.”
The full slate of award winners is:
- Founder’s Award: Mark Moseley. Played 16 NFL seasons, including 13 with the Washington Redskins. Known for his straight-ahead kicking motion. During the 1981 season, he made 20 of 21 field goal attempts, setting a record at the time by making 95.2 percent of his kicks, as he earned the NFL’s MVP award. He made two field goals in the Redskins’ Super Bowl XVII victory and led the NFL in scoring the following season as the Redskins returned to the Super Bowl. He remains the Redskins’ all-time leading scorer.
- Career Achievement Award: Brian Mitchell. The son of a U.S. Army soldier and a former college quarterback, he is perhaps the greatest kickoff and punt returner in NFL history. One of only two players to lead the NFL in combined yards at least four times; the other was Jim Brown, who did it five times. Still holds NFL career records for kickoff return yardage and punt return yardage and is second to Jerry Rice in total yardage. Has enjoyed a long and successful run in local media, now hosting BMitch and Finlay on 106.7 FM The Fan.
- Pro Player of the Year: Ja’Whaun Bentley, New England Patriots. First honored by the Touchdown Club as the 2014 Maryland High School Player of the Year, the standout linebacker posted his third consecutive season with more than 100 tackles despite missing one game. He finished with 114 tackles and a career-high 4 ½ sacks.
- College Player of the Year: Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland. The strong-armed passer completed his collegiate career by rewriting the record books. He became the Big Ten Conference’s all-time leading passer while also showing his accuracy by setting the conference record for highest completion percentage as he led the Terrapins to seven wins for the third consecutive season, a feat that had not happened in 20 years.
- Circle of Legends: Gary Williams. The legendary coach guided his alma mater back from crippling NCAA penalties to become a national contender throughout his tenure. The Terrapins reached the Final Four for the first time in 2001, then returned the following year and won the national title. He has been inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
- Virginia HS Player of the Year: Fletcher Westphal, Tuscarora. The two-way lineman dominated on both sides of the ball as the Huskies posted an undefeated regular season. Has enrolled at the University of Florida, where the Gators plan to play the 6-foot-8, 335-pounder at offensive tackle.
- Maryland HS Player of the Year: Gideon Ituka, Gaithersburg: Bruising, 240-pound running back rushed for 2,250 yards and 32 touchdowns as he led the Trojans to their first winning record in 10 years. Has enrolled at the University of Wisconsin.
- D.C. HS Player of the Year Michael Brown, Friendship Collegiate. Speedster was a threat in every facet of the game for the DCSAA Class AA champions. Caught 51 passes for 850 yards and 12 touchdowns, intercepted four passes and made 34 tackles on defense and had four returns for touchdowns. Will play for Howard University.
- Washington Metro High School Coach of the Year Andy Stefanelli, Good Counsel. In his seventh season guiding the Falcons, led the Olney school to a 10-1 record and the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship.
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