Russell Athletic brand ambassador and Washington wide receiver Pierre Garcon visited three Washington, DC area high schools, delivering their respective football teams with new Russell Athletic uniforms on Tuesday. The teams selected were from Thomas Jefferson (Alexandra, VA), Theodore Roosevelt (Washington, DC) and Springbrook (Silver Spring, MD).
“I want to thank Russell Athletic for helping me give back to the Washington DC community in such an impactful way,” said Garcon. “Seeing the look on these kids' faces, it definitely reminds me how fortunate I am to be in the NFL and have a platform to make such a difference in their lives.”
Garcon visited all three schools in one day, hours after playing on Monday Night Football the previous evening. On each stop of the 40-plus mile trek and nearly eight-hour day, Garcon delivered the uniforms, gave an inspiring pep talk to each team, and finished with a Q&A while meeting with high school players and community members, signing autographs and taking photos.
“Pierre is a phenomenal role model and we're privileged to have him be a part of the Russell Athletic family,” said Gary Barfield, Executive Vice President, Russell Brands, LLC. “We hope our selected high schools enjoy their uniforms and give them a great sense of pride each time they take the field this season.”
The schools won the new uniforms by entering a social media contest hosted by Pierre's team earlier this summer. All teams received Russell Athletic's stretch mesh fabric uniform, with dri-power technology. A player representative also accompanied Garcon at each presentation, modeling the uniform and giving teammates and the community a first look at their new Russell Athletic gear.
Russell Athletic prides itself on community initiatives, working with a variety of youth sports at each level. This past year Russell Athletic made a uniform and equipment donation to the City of Orlando Youth Football (COYF) in conjunction with the Russell Athletic Bowl. In September, Russell Athletic will begin the selection process for the third annual Fight Like Dylan Award, which celebrates one high school team that has demonstrated determination through sports. Russell Athletic is also the “Official Uniform Provider of the Little League Baseball and Softball World Series.”
Garcon is developing a reputation as a strong presence in charity work, also conducting work with the Boys & Girls Club of Washington and The Pierre Garcon Helping Hands Foundation, which he started in 2008 to give back to the youth community. Special projects include an all-white charity benefit event in DC, and a new basketball court constructed near Pierre's childhood home in Belle Glade, FL.
