Pro football players make their way to Meridian
By By Jeff Byrd / staff writer
June 26, 2002
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackle Kenyatta Walker will be back in town today in preparation for the Champions of Children Golf Tournament which is set to begin Saturday morning at the Silver Star Hotel &Casino in Philadelphia.
The two-day event begins Friday with an auction to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Mississippi at the Silver Star Casino at 7 p.m. Walker is co-hosting the event along with State Attorney General Mike Moore.
Moore is expected to fly into Meridian on Friday morning near the same time as Meridian native and current St. Louis Rams' defensive back Dexter McCleon lands. McCleon, who played in the Super Bowl this past January, will join Walker and several other NFL stars at the charity event. Both Walker and McCleon are Meridian natives and played for Meridian High School.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair is slated to play in the golf tournament on Saturday.
Barbara Kidd, who is handling many of the scheduling arrangements, said it should be a great event.
The auction and golf event is one of the biggest fund raisers for the Kenyatta Walker Foundation.
The event starts with a live sports memorabilia auction which will be hosted by BET's Rickey Smiley. The auction will be opened to the general public. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is sponsoring the auction at Pearl River Resort. Tickets for the celebrity auction will be $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
On June 29, the golf event begins at 8 a.m. at Dancing Rabbit. The Mississippi Boys and Girls Club Classic will be a four-man scramble. The tournament is open to the public.
Players interesting in playing should contact Kimberly Sharp at (601) 321-5006. Each team will be joined by a celebrity guest. Lunch, on the Barbie, will be sponsored by Outback Steak House.
Sponsorships for the golf event will begin at $100 for a cart sponsor.