This Super Bowl QB was a No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick. He’ll speak at Boise fundraiser
How about a night out of socializing, food, and games? And be part of giving Idaho youth a positive, character-building sports experience?
Well, bust out your favorite sports jersey — be it professional, college or high school — and throw on some jeans (yep, it’s casual) for the Come Play With Us Dinner and Auction on April 23 at the Jackson Jet Center, 3815 Rickenbacker St., Boise.
The eighth annual fundraiser will start at 6 p.m. and feature guest speaker Drew Bledsoe, the former Washington State star and NFL quarterback, who will share his message of perseverance, dedication and what it means to be a team player, according to a news release.
The event is a fundraiser for the Idaho Youth Sports Commission, which “enables young athletes in Idaho to enjoy sports in a positive way,” placing “a special emphasis on youth who are economically disadvantaged,” according to the release.
Bledsoe is well-known as a prolific college passer for the Cougars who was the No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick in 1993, taken by the New England Patriots. He started immediately and helped New England improve quickly, reaching the playoffs in his second season. In his fourth season, the Patriots won the AFC title and reached Super Bowl XXXI, where they lost to Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers.
Bledsoe had just signed a then-record contract worth over $100 million prior to the 2001 season, but in the second game, a vicious hit by a New York Jets linebacker caused internal bleeding and sidelined Bledsoe. His Patriots replacement was a young QB from Michigan named Tom Brady, who never relinquished the job.
Bledsoe went on become the Buffalo Bills’ starter, and in 2002, he threw for 4,359 yards and made his fourth Pro Bowl. He retired in 2007 after spending a couple of years with the Dallas Cowboys. After retirement, Bledsoe has become a philanthropist and is part of a Washington state winery.
At the Boise event, in addition to dinner and a live auction, which includes trips, tickets and various memorabilia, awards will be given to those who played a significant role in the growth of positive sports experiences for Idaho youngsters. The WE Award for Lifetime Contribution to Sports will be presented to former Boise State head football coach Skip Hall.
There will also be an online auction running April 15-24.
Cost is $85 per person. Purchase tickets and register for the online auction at iyscauction.com. Table and premium sponsorships also available. Call 208-703-2997 for more information.
This story was originally published April 11, 2022 at 12:09 PM.