Former Bronco Ed McCaffrey Headlines 2015 Heroes Classic
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox, in conjunction with Verizon Wireless and Memorial Hospital, have announced that the 2015 Heroes Classic has been scheduled for Saturday, May 30. The fourth annual charity softball game will be held as part of a special 'Double-Header' at Security Service Field starting with the softball game at 3:30 PM. That will be followed by the Sky Sox game at 6:05 PM against the Sacramento River Cats. This special event will salute local Colorado Springs heroes including injured service members who have served our nations military, and the Colorado Springs and El Paso County Fire and Safety Departments. As part of the festivities, former Denver Broncos wide receiver Ed McCaffrey will be playing in the softball game and signing autographs during the Sky Sox game.
The event will also raise funds for three outstanding charities, the Colorado Springs Fire Protective Association, The Police Foundation of Colorado Springs, and the Wounded Warrior Project. In addition, as part of the game day activities, the teams will don custom made uniforms and these unique, game worn jerseys will be auctioned off during and after the game with 100% of the proceeds benefitting the selected charities. To date, this event has raised close to $60,000 for charity.
Ed McCaffrey retired from the National Football League in 2004 after playing 13 seasons with the New York Giants (1991-93), San Francisco 49ers (1994) and Denver Broncos (1995-2003). A three-time Super Bowl champion, McCaffrey established himself as one of the game's most popular players and excelled as one of the NFL's toughest and most dependable wide receivers.
McCaffrey won Super Bowls with the 49ers (1994) and Broncos (1997, '98), and was voted to play for the American Football Conference in the Pro Bowl following the 1998 season. He finished his career with 565 receptions for 7,422 yards and 55 touchdowns, and ranks fourth on the Broncos' all-time receiving list for both catches (462) and yards (6,200), and third in touchdowns (46). His best season came in 2000 when he caught a then-Broncos-record 101 passes (3rd in the NFL) for 1,317 yards and nine touchdowns.
At the time of his retirement McCaffrey was one of just 31 players in NFL history to win a Super Bowl with two different teams, and one of only 13 to win one with both an AFC and NFC team. He entered the NFL in 1991 as a third-round draft choice of the New York Giants (No. 83 overall) out of Stanford.
As respected as he was on the field, McCaffrey has made an equally significant impact off the field-first during his playing career with the establishment of The McCaffrey Family Foundation and through the number of television, radio and print impressions he makes for businesses and organizations. He will host the Ninth Annual Ed McCaffrey Football Camp in Colorado in June 2010, and has added a unique new camp to the lineup for children and young adults with Down syndrome. The Ed McCaffrey "Dare to Play" Football Camp and the "Dare to Cheer" Cheerleading camp are produced in partnership with the Sie Foundation and the Global Down Syndrome Foundation.
During the game, there will be a special silent auction of all the players' jerseys which will be held in the concourse at the main entrance of the stadium. Following the game, a live auction will be held on field that will feature a select number of jerseys including Ed McCaffrey's. All jerseys will be autographed by the player that wore them and will be accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. Those same jersey's will also be worn by the Sky Sox during their May 29th game against Sacramento.
The two teams playing the game will consist of members of the Colorado Springs Police and Fire Departments as well as injured service members who will represent the Wounded Warrior Project. In addition, each team will also include several local media members and local dignitaries. McCaffrey will serve as an honorary coach and will play in the game for both teams.
The Sky Sox are also offering a special ticket plan for fans wishing to get Ed McCaffrey's autograph during a special VIP autograph session in the Security Service Field Hall of Fame Bar & Grill. For just $70 fans can grab the 6-Game Plan featuring a ticket to the Sky Sox July 4th game against Memphis, Sky Fest featuring Batman vs. Superman, Used Car giveaway Night as well as a ticket to the VIP autograph session with Ed McCaffrey.
Secure your tickets now for the 4th Annual Heroes Classic by clicking here!
"The Heroes Classic, going into its fourth year, has become such a fantastic family event for the Colorado Springs community as it gives us all an opportunity to recognize and raise funds for the many heroes in our proud city," said Sky Sox President & General Manager Tony Ensor. "We're incredibly excited to honor and pay tribute to our local heroes for not only the heroics they have shown in recent events like the Waldo Canyon and Black Forest fires, and conflicts across the globe, but also for what they do day-in and day-out to make Colorado Springs one of the best communities in America."
The 2015 Sky Sox season is in full swing at Security Service Field. For ticket information, game schedule, promotions calendar or for additional information about the Sky Sox, call (719) 304-5610, visit SkySox.com, like us on Facebook or follow the team on Twitter at @skysox.