NFL STAR WILLIS MCGAHEE TO SERVE AS GRAND MARSHAL AT 7th ANNUAL PREAKNESS PARADE OF LIGHTS IN BALTIMORE
Baltimore, MD — Apr 27, 2010 —
(Baltimore, MD) April 27, 2010 – Baltimore Ravens’ Willis McGahee will serve as Grand Marshal for the 37th annual Preakness Parade of Lights, the signature highlight of the Preakness Celebration, a week-long series of events that culminates on May 15th with the 135th running of the famed Preakness Stakes, also known as “The People’s Race, The People’s Party,” one of the nation’s largest single day sporting events. The Parade starts at 8:30 PM at Market Place in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, heads up Pratt Street and ends at First Mariner Arena and will feature colorful floats, helium-balloon characters, equestrians, marching bands, military units & the World Famous Budweiser Clydesdales.
“I’m so excited to be a part of Preakness this year!” said McGahee, “Baltimore is my home and to be a part of something of this much tradition and grandeur that has been identified with Baltimore for 135 years, well, that is something pretty special. I am so honored to be invited to do this.”
The Preakness Stakes is an American Grade I stakes thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses, the middle jewel of horse racing’s storied Triple Crown. It is held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. O.A.R. and Zac Brown band will be performing live at the Preakness Infield Fest.
“On behalf of the Preakness Celebration and the Maryland Jockey Club, we’d like to thank Willis for his support in making this year’s Parade of Lights a must-see event for everyone on Preakness Eve”, said Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas. “It’s terrific to see two such beloved Maryland traditions, the Preakness Stakes and the Baltimore Ravens, celebrating together at this special time.”
ABOUT Willis McGahee (www.willismcgahee.com):
Named 2009 Humanitarian of the Year by Howard County, running back Baltimore Ravens Willis McGahee has been making marks in football and the charitable world for the past decade. McGahee attended the University of Miami where he became one of the top scoring backs in college football history and led his team to win a National Championship. After a stellar 2007 season with the Baltimore Ravens, Willis earned a trip to his first Pro Bowl, the highest honor for current NFL players.
Willis is very active in his local community and nationally through the Willis McGahee Foundation, which holds numerous outreach programs such and toy and food drives, assists with school supplies and other education materials for disadvantaged and at-risk youth and their families. He has also recently launched www.CoachWillis.org, a website that Willis has developed to encourage people, specifically men, to become mentors to youth.
ABOUT Pimlico Race Course
Historic Pimlico Race Course, home of the Preakness Stakes®, the middle jewel in horse racing’s famed Triple Crown, first opened its doors on October 25, 1870, and is the second oldest racetrack in the United States. Pimlico has played host to racing icons and Baltimoreans have seen the likes of legendary horses such as Man o’ War, Seabiscuit, Secretariat, Affirmed and Cigar thunder down the stretch in thrilling and memorable competition. For more information on Pimlico, visit www.pimlico.com.
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Media Alert
Samari Rolle, regarding his release from the Baltimore Ravens today:
“I want to thank everyone for an amazing run here in Baltimore. From the coaching staff, to ownership and management, and everyone in between, this is a world class organization and a close knit family that I’ll miss. I enjoyed the time I spent here and am especially grateful to the fans who have supported me and my foundation as well. I’m looking forward to the next phase of my life, enjoying my family and the life God has blessed me with.”