This video is no longer available.
Hundreds of people packed Franklin Park Saturday morning to celebrate one of the D.C. area’s most beloved athletes 鈥� legendary Washington cornerback Darrell Green.
During Green鈥檚 20-year football career, he helped bring a pair of Super Bowl trophies back to the nation’s capital.
鈥淒arrell, you represent D.C. values. You represent the D.C. spirit 鈥� scrappy, fast, underestimated and a champion,鈥� Mayor Muriel Bowser told the crowd.
“It鈥檚 my pleasure, as your mayor, to do something I鈥檝e only done just a handful of times before. I鈥檝e got to tell you, I鈥檓 stingy with this key. This key represents the spirit of Washington. It鈥檚 my honor to today introduce the Darrell Green with the key to Washington, D.C.”
During the presentation Bowser made Green, a native of Houston, an honorary Washingtonian.
鈥淒arrell is one of the greatest athletes of all time. He knows that, but he walks with a humility that is refreshing and a commitment to the city,鈥� Bowser said. 鈥淗e told me he met his wife when he was a rookie, and he’s been here ever since. And that doesn’t happen a lot in professional sports.鈥�
Jewell Green explained how the day felt for her and her husband.
鈥淚t’s amazing. It’s all the things that I wanted for us to stay in this city, and it paid off. You know, I knew that if we stayed I thought God would bless that decision because he clearly told us to stay, and it would be multiplied double-fold for us, probably tripled,” Jewell Green said.
During his speech, Darrell Green choked up while talking about the decision to make the D.C. area home.
鈥淚 deliberately stayed here. It wasn’t an accident,” Darrell Green said. 鈥淕od told me to stay. I stayed. I had to do what God told me to do. I love my family, I miss you, but I just want you to know I did what I had to do.”
Green then looked around at those in attendance and said, 鈥淭his is my people, this is my people. Yeah, this is my city too.鈥�
- Cornerback Darrell Green visits 草莓传媒 ahead of DC celebrations honoring his legacy
- Bowser to give key to the city to legendary Washington cornerback Darrell Green
Darrell Green was not the only former Washington player to get emotional during the ceremony.
鈥淗ate when I cry in public. I try to be tough all the time,” said running back Brian Mitchell. “But the whole thing is, bro, I love you and I want you to keep doing the things you do because there is no Brian Mitchell, the complete man, without a Darrell Green.”
Darrell Green’s son Jared expressed what being presented with the key to D.C. mean to his father.
鈥淢y dad’s always had this mantra that he opens doors for other people. With the key to D.C., now he can open doors that he never could have dreamt of. So, this is special for our family, special for our legacy, but even more special for the future generations in D.C.,鈥� Jared Green said.
The celebration of Darrell Green鈥檚 life and career is not over. On Sunday, The Washington Commanders will officially retire Green鈥檚 No. 28 jersey number during halftime.
And the excitement is not over for the Green family, as well. Jewell Green said that they are expecting a new grandchild on Wednesday.
鈥淥h, my goodness, next for us mentally right now is a baby coming next Wednesday, and then we’ll do everything else after that,” Jewell Green said.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
漏 2024 草莓传媒. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
