Irvin's 'Playmaker' abilities on display through foundation

He wasn't running his Hall of Fame routes on the football field, nor was he talking football or giving speeches on the professional game he played so well for so long on Sunday, March 8 at the Ocean Manor Resort's Bamboo Beach Tiki Bar

St. Thomas Aquinas High School's own and Fort Lauderdale native Michael Irvin had some other important business to take care of. "We're all coming together and having a little fun," Irvin said. "It's so important. This kind of kicks off Spring Break."

Irvin was referring to the second annual charity volleyball games, which the former Cowboys wide receiver hosted with former Michigan State and NFL great wide receiver Andre Rison at the shoreline on the Galt Ocean Mile of Fort Lauderdale.

While Irvin was running around all over the court sending instructions to the Boston Village Pump Lauderdale By The Sea women's team, Rison brought his coaching expertise inside the huddle for the Bamboo Beach women's team.

All done to benefit today's children's charities, including Irvin's Playmaker Charities and Foundation, Inc. and Kid's in Distress, both of which received thousands of dollars from the event.

"Let me tell you something," Irvin said. "I don't like to refer to kids who haven't received the primary goods in life underprivileged. We're here giving kids and helping them receive the opportunity that they wouldn't otherwise have. It's about the positive things in life."

Rison would know. The four-time All-Pro selection who made 743 receptions for 10,205 yards and 84 touchdowns throughout his 12-year NFL career came from a single parent home in Flint, Michigan.

"In my eyes, with what's going on in today's society, with the economy being as bad as it is, with unemployment being at an all-time high," Rison began saying, "the fact that people of all different races, from all different parts of the world come and show their support is phenomenal. You've got people here giving care and support and giving back to those who need it through the Playmaker's Foundation and Kid's in Distress. It's a great feat."

Soulan Johnson, Executive Director of Irvin's Playmaker Foundation, estimated the fun-filled, family event would bring in approximately $5,000 to $6,000 combined toward the two local charity foundations.

Cost to attend the Bamboo Beach Tiki Bar camping grounds was $5 in order to meet and greet Irvin, Rison and current New Orleans Saints cornerback Mike McKenzie, who played his high school football at Miami Norland (1994 alumnus).

"The best part of the event is having people here who are guests being committed to making sure these charities succeed through their mission," Johnson said. "That's the basic objective. It's really simple. The bottom line is helping kids."

McKenzie didn't think twice about attending and giving back. The All-Dade county selection at free safety as a high school senior made two key observations regarding the benefits of holding such an event.

"It's about the awareness and the involvement you're able to create by getting businesses from all over Florida involved to help kids in need," McKenzie said. "People don't realize how great a demand there is for kids in need. It's huge to support these kids and to give them some extracurricular activity outside of school. By the lack of programs outside of school grounds, there's only so much the kids can do. We don't want them running wild in the streets. It's not always about the money, but it always helps."

(sun-sentinel.com)