It may be the offseason, but Redskins coaches and players remain as competitive as ever--even in matters for a good cause.
About 20 players, coaches, team officials and Redskins alumni took a break from off-season workouts on Friday to participate in the fifth annual Redskins Golf Classic at Raspberry Falls Golf Club in Leesburg, Va.
Before the event, Ladell Betts proclaimed himself the best golfer among Redskins running backs.
"Most of the other running backs don't play as much--the only other back who plays is Rock [Cartwright] and we're pretty close [in skill level]," Betts said. "But I'm the best."
Betts backed it up on his first tee shot, on the eighth hole. He nailed a solid drive down the middle of the fairway.
"Little left, little right, but hopefully straight," Betts said of his golf swing.
Earlier, assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams joked that the coaches would keep a separate tally of the scores for offensive and defensive coaches.
"The offensive coaches have [running backs coach] Earnest Byner, but we just brought in [secondary-cornerbacks coach] Jerry Gray, so hopefully that will even things out quite a bit," Williams said.
Other coaches on hand for the event were associate head coach-offense Al Saunders, assistant head coach-offense Joe Bugel, linebackers coach Dale Lindsey, special teams coordinator Danny Smith, wide receivers coach Stan Hixon, tight ends coach Rennie Simmons and passing game coordinator-safeties coach Steve Jackson.
Jackson joined Redskins great Mike Bragg in wearing "old school" golfing attire, including knickers, argyle socks and a traditional golf cap.
Vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato and pro scouts Don Warren and Terry Ray represented the Redskins' scouting department in the event.
Among players who attended were tight end Chris Cooley, Betts, Cartwright, offensive lineman Jim Molinaro, defensive lineman Ryan Boschetti and punters Derrick Frost and David Lonie.
Former Redskins offensive lineman Ray Brown, who retired from pro football after last season, was on hand to participate in the event. The 20-year NFL veteran chatted with former coaches and teammates before heading out on the golf course.
The scramble-style golf tournament featured a Redskins player, coach, official or alumni joining a foursome for 18 holes of golf.
The event included an activity, giveaway or food station at every golf hole, as well as a post-tournament party featuring a buffet by Morton's, The Steakhouse.
The event, co-sponsored by FedEx and Morton's, The Steakhouse, raised more than $100,000 for the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation, the non-profit philanthropic arm of the team.
The Charitable Foundation combines the influence and popularity of the Washington Redskins with the resources and assets of 35 Washington area corporations.
Founded by owner Daniel M. Snyder, the Charitable Foundation is guided by its Leadership Council that consists of 35 CEOs who help shape and define the philanthropic efforts of the Redskins to achieve a measurable impact on communities throughout the region in the areas of literacy, youth development, education, community service, health and wellness.
