NFL Players Lose To Wounded Warrior Amputees 25-9 In Charity Softball

BOWIE, MD - The Wounded Warrior Amputee softball team defeated the NFL Stars team 25-9 Saturday in the second annual NFL Players Celebrity Softball game. More importantly, each side successfully helped promote amputee awareness through the event’s sponsor Medical Center Orthotics and Prosthetics.

Medical Center Orthotics and Prosthetics is the exclusive provider of lower limb prosthetics at Walter Reed Medical Center to wounded soldiers coming back from Afghanistan and the Middle East. Known for the fit and function they provide to their patients – they make it possible for athletes like those on the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team to compete.

“We walk around here today with all types of freedoms and it’s because of [the Wounded Warriors],” said Washington Redskins great Brian Mitchell. “They go out and put their lives on the line — they lose limbs and then they come back and we forget about them. We [athletes] try our best to go around the community and show our support. My father was a military guy who showed me and made sure I understood the importance of supporting them.”

NFL Players who came out showing their support included: Mike Vick, Josh Morgan, EJ Biggers, Niles Paul, Fred Davis, Darrel Young, Tavon Wilson, Josh Cribbs, Matt Compton, Tyrod Taylor, Brian Mitchell and more. The National Guard, Hope for Warriors, Marines Helping Marines, Connected Warrior Foundation, The Mayor of Bowie, US Amputee Hockey Team, USA Cheerleaders and NFL Players Association will also be there to show support.

Comedian Chis Thomas also came out, bringing the voices of President Obama, Bernie Mac, Bill Cosby and Mike Tyson as the game’s color commentator(s). It was hilarious. Not to mention, three very special Super Heroes showed up at the game: Batman, Spider-Man and Captain America. Towards the game’s final inning, Batman attempted to save the day for the NFL Players playing outfield and at bat. That “attempt,” however, was unsuccessful.

“Just trying to do everything possible to support the Wounded Warriors and just show our respect for everything they do for us,” said Chicago Bears WR Josh Morgan. “We wanted to just come out and have a good time with them.” Morgan hoped the Wounded Warriors wouldn’t “beat-up” on the NFL Players as much as last year. But those guys are just too good for the pigskin ballers to handle.

“In softball — just like golf, you have to be patient” said Brian Mitchell. “They [play softball] a lot, we don’t. But it doesn’t make a difference win or lose. I think everyone wins. We might not win on the scoreboard but we won by coming out and showing support to those who really deserve it.”

One of the “hashtags” for the event was #MoveForward. It’s such a simple phrase, yet it holds a powerful meaning. Pro Player Insiders spoke to a Wounded Warrior by the name of Leonard Anderson, 30 y/o, US Air Force who has been with the team for eight months now. “What moving forward is about is just looking forward to what’s ahead of you and what you can do, not what you can’t do,” he said. “A lot of times people kind of sulk and get down on themselves on what they don’t think they can do. But when they put themselves out there, they come to find out it’s limitless of all the things they can do. It’s just a matter of bringing out the new you and finding out how the new you works. So it’s all about pushing forward.”