Along with all of the festivities that went on in Indianapolis this past weekend, the NFL Player’s Wives Association “Off the Field” had their own fabulous event. Showcased at the event were dynamic NFL wives who brought their fashion game plan to the 11th Annual OTF Fashion Show at Saks Fifth Avenue at Keystone Crossing. Working together, the current and former players’ wives made this event one to remember.
The morning started off with a brunch, followed by both silent and live auctions hosted by OTF President Erika Lassiter, celebrity chef Nikki Shaw and former five-time Pro Bowler Cornelius Bennett. Next the catwalk with Bennett’s wife and 20 other dignified NFL wives. Some of the ladies in participation included: Gussie Fuller, Edwina Wright, Ragan Brackett, Tammara McDonald, Cynthia Odom, Holly Hill-Brooks, Karen Saturday, Charlotte Lucas, Ashley Manning, Tanya Hand, and Lassiter. The ladies walked in the show, strutting the newest fashions from Sak’s featured designers like Chanel, Prada, and Dolce & Gabbana.
The OTF gathering used fashion as the forum to raise money to help two local charities. Jamie, wife of Jeff Foster, center for the Indiana Pacers, noted “I am here with other Pacers wives and great friends to support the lovely NFL wives who are modeling today for a great cause.”
Indiana Pacers’ wives supporting cause included Dianna (Danny) Granger, Valerie Cooke, Jenifer Vogel (Frank Vogel Pacer’s head coach ) , Dinah (Larry)Bird, Lesley (David) West, Heather Denton (Director of Pacer’s Player Relations) , Jamie (Jeff) Foster and Gina Laikin.
Peyton Manning’s wife Ashley and Tanya, wife of former Colt’s player Jon Hand, also served as co-hosts of the show, because their husbands’ charities were receiving proceeds of the event.
Ashley Quigless-Brown, wife of one of the few 20-year NFL veterans and one of the OTF founders, said the OTF, “is in our 11th year of being honored and able to give back to the communities where the Super Bowl is hosted. [This event is a] great way to bring wives together to show off the clothes here at Saks Fifth Avenue. This year we are here to support the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, which has some of the world’s leading pediatric sub-specialists to help Indiana’s most important patients. We also are honored to support JT’s Hand Neonatal Fund.”
JT’s Hand was founded by the shows hostess Hand and her husband, Jon, a former Indianapolis Colts defensive end. Hand’s son, JT, was born 14 weeks premature and passed 28 days later. Cynthia, wife of 13 year NFL veteran Cliff Odom, expressed that, “This is an event that I have embraced because of the great things it does for others.” The cause behind the show truly hit her this year because JT Hand happens to be Odom’s godchild.
Another child receiving love and accolades was Roxy Cooper, an 8 year old patient from Manning’s Children’s Hospital, who rocked the runway and reminded everyone of the true reason for the event. Roxy is the daughter of Bobby Cooper, owner of the highly regarded salon in Broad Ripple, who also did the model’s hair for the event.
Ericka Lassiter, OTF’s Women’s Association President and organizer of the event, was enthusiastic about the fashion show’s outcome this year. “We were excited to have hosted such a fabulous event, have some incredible women, and have amazing charities to sponsor us,” Lassiter said. Lassiter also made sure to honor some of the dynamic women from Indianapolis who have impacted the community, which is another valued goal of the OTF organization.
For more information on “Off the Field,” the National Football Players’ Wives Association and other philanthropic initiatives that enhance the quality of life for communities off the field, you can find them at www.offthefieldwpa.com.
