Bishop O’Connell was proud to host the Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team as they took on NFL alumni in a flag football game on McMurtrie Field on Saturday, Nov. 16. The stands were full, and the local media was in full force. Despite the overcast skies and the chill in the air, it was an afternoon to remember.
Bishop O'Connell students were rooting for the Wounded Warrior team, as many of them had met members of the team in their classrooms the previous day. On Friday, a group of four servicemen had visited with various classes and participated in an afternoon pep rally, giving the school community an opportunity to show their personal appreciation and respect to these wounded warriors.
As a part of the Saturday pre-game activities, Bishop O’Connell also welcomed back two of their own graduates who participated in the game as members of the NFL alumni team.
Eric Metcalf '85 Presented with Athletic Hall of Fame Award
Eric Metcalf graduated from Bishop O’Connell in 1985, where he starred on the track and on the football field. He still holds school records for the long jump, triple jump, 100, 200, and 400 meter runs. Metcalf went on to play football and run track at the University of Texas, before embarking on his career in the NFL. He spent most of his career as a wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns, but played for other teams, including the Washington Redskins and the Atlanta Falcons, where he caught 104 passes in one season (1995).
Metcalf was inducted into the inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame class of Bishop O’Connell in 1991, but was unable to attend the ceremony at that time. Before the flag football game began, he was presented with his award by Head of School, Dr. Joseph Vorbach III, and his former coaches, Fred Benevento and Jim Hayes. Fred Benevento is also a 1969 graduate of Bishop O’Connell, and a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame.
Bob Asher '66 Also Returned to Participate as NFL Alumnus
Bob Asher graduated from Bishop O’Connell High School in 1966. Also a member of the Bishop O’Connell Athletic Hall of Fame, he was three-sport star and Athlete of the Year at O'Connell, and still holds the shot put record at the school. He was named an All-American football player at Vanderbilt University and played center and offensive tackle for two Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl teams before finishing his career in 1976 with the Chicago Bears.
Recognizing Former NFL Player and O’Connell Football Coach
The Bishop O’Connell community also took a moment before the game to dedicate a field-side bench in honor of a former football coach, Steve Trimble, who passed away unexpectedly in 2011. Trimble was a beloved coach and mentor at Bishop O'Connell, who also happened to be an accomplished high school, college and professional football player. Read more about Coach Trimble HERE. Participating in the dedication and blessing ceremony were Trimble's widow, Gretchen, along with Dr. Vorbach, school chaplain Rev. Phillip Cozzi, baseball coach Rick Hart and former O'Connell teacher and coach (and NFL player) T.J. Fitzpatrick.
See and hear more about this special afternoon:
US Army - Veteran Amputee Team rumbles with Washington Redskins NFL alumni/
To find out more about the Wounded Warrior Amputee Football team, visit www.woundedwarrioramputeefootballteam.org.