Just before the beginning of free agency signings in the NFL, Cardinals’ Head Coach Bruce Arians took a little break before the madness started. He held the second annual celebrity golf game and dinner for Coach Arians Charity called Arians Family Foundation.
The proceeds of this event benefit CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) which helps ensure that children who are involved in the Court system, as a result of abuse or neglect by their families, received the help they need. This year’s event had a much larger turn out than last year as the celebrities came out in support of this wonderful cause. Stars from other industries outside of the sports world walked the great red carpet and showed their gratitude and appreciation for Coach Arians and his family.
The guest list included big names such as the very beautiful and talented platinum recording artist Jordin Sparks, which opened the event with the singing of our national anthem. The opening act included a sky diver dropping in on the golf course while presenting the American Flag. It was a very spectacular entrance that was timed perfectly with the length of the anthem and the landing, which ended exactly with the last note of the lovely Miss Sparks. Sparks and other attendees including the funny David Spade and actor Frankie Muniz were also interviewed, and showed themselves to be pretty huge Cardinals fans.
“I am a diehard Cardinal fan” said Jordan Sparks, “I’m excited that they will be really active this week and hopefully we can get some new additions” She went on to give her take about the departing of Darnell Dockett “When I found out about his future I was like no!, but its OK everybody’s contract has to end and have to move on sometimes” Being from Arizona she was very passionate about her team. But it was the NFL players past and present that filled the greens of the Talking Stick Resort Golf course on Sunday morning. Everyone with a personal and heartfelt reason for attending.
The players list included the likes of Kurt Warner, Jonathan Ogden, Howie Long, Steve Mariucci, Rich Rodriguez, Chandler Catanzaro, Mark Rypien, Merril Hoge, Todd Heap, and one year Hall of Fame inductee Andre Reed, and many more.
“Anytime we can put on an event like this for the kids I’m all in, and there is a lot of kids in need” said Arians while addressing the guest and media before the golf game began.
After 18 holes of golf the event concluded with a dinner at the Resort and Casino, which was closed to media and the public. The charity was also auctioning off memorabilia signed by Cardinals players such as Patrick Peterson and Larry Fitzgerald. The event was a great success much like Bruce Arians first two years in the Valley, and adding coach of the year honors his status around the league is continuing to grow.
