NFM football golf outing brings out the stars
One of the advantages of being a former NFL player is that you can call on connections to the game to bring star quality to any charity endeavor.
Earnest Graham made plenty of friends in his days as a running back in the NFL. Now, as head coach of the North Fort Myers High School football team, he brought them in to help raise money for his team for the upcoming season.
Magnolia Landings Golf & Country Club, at 3501 Avenida Del Vera, played host to the second-annual North Fort Myers Big red Classic, a four-man scramble, best-ball golf tournament that serves as the program’s biggest fundraiser.
Of the 80 golfers on the course for the 8:30 a.m. shotgun start, four played in the NFL. Perhaps an even bigger star, legendary Olympic gold medalist Bob Beamon, was also scheduled to attend, but illness forced him to miss the event.
That didn’t put a damper on things as once again the community came up big.
“Magnolia Landing has always helped us and we get great support from our Booster Club. The support from the community is tremendous,” Graham said. “It’s great to have fun and raise money to help the football program.”
Besides Graham, there was Todd Johnson, a former St. Louis Ram who now coaches Sarasota Bayshore, Ed Gant, a former Buc and Cardinal who is now one of Graham’s assistants, and Brandon Siler, a teammate of Graham’s at the University of Florida who played for the Chargers and Chiefs.
“We’re supporting Earnest and what he’s trying to do with his squad. Hopefully the community will show the support he deserves,” Johnson said. “Hopefully, they’re thankful for the kind of coach and man they have.”
Charles Dailey, one of Graham’s mentors and a retired principal, was also on the course. He remembered Graham the same way he is now.
“Even in school he was kindhearted, always willing to help. He’s just an outstanding young man. He’s a positive attribute to the Lee County School District,” Dailey said. “It’s all about student achievement.”
The event featured the usual contests such as closest to the pin, longest drive, and a putting contest, where the winners got prizes, usually free golf passes.
There were also lots of items up for grabs in raffles such as a cooler filled with food, oil changes, tool kits, home movie nights, a barbecue grill and more. A silent auction featured autographed footballs and fishing equipment.