It's different being a Hall of Famer in an international city than in, say Green Bay.
I just got back from a reception in honor of Hall of Fame inductee-to-be Darrell Green given by Japanese ambassador Ryozo Kato. Green and the ambassador became friendly in 2002 when the Redskins were preparing for their preseason game in Osaka and have stayed in touch since.
As the writer who made Green's case to the Hall of Fame selectors back in February, I was invited to the event, and I brought my 14-year-old daughter, Julie, an admirer of Asian culture and cuisine.
Ambassador Kato, who's leaving shortly Washington after a 6-1/2 year stint to become the commissioner of Japanese baseball, was presented with a miniature Redskins helmet by Green and fellow Hall of Fame inductee-to-be Art Monk.
Green was introduced as Dr. Darrell Green. Did No. 28 receive a doctorate in the land of the rising sun? No. Green said he has honorary doctorates from George Washington, Marymount and St. Paul's (Va.).
Redskins coach Jim Zorn and defensive tackle Kedric Golston (who attends Green's church) were on hand along with former Redskins Dexter Manley and Darryl Pounds.
- David Elfin
Comments (3)
What a great story about two classy people. I try to tell my kids that one should be fans of people who are worth rooting for. Art Monk and Darrell Green both fit that bill.
Darryl Pounds has been one of my favorite Redskin player names. DArryl Pounds. That's what he does. It's positively onomatopoetic.
Posted by Jim | May 20, 2008 4:11 PM
Sounds like such a wonderful event. It is a shame that your column's vagueness doesn't relate such a special moment to interested readers.
Posted by Lawrence | May 20, 2008 11:29 PM
Sounds like an interesting evening. And to the first writers comments... I agree about Green and Monk, but I'm going to have to go ahead and disagree about Darryl Pounds. Pounds did not do the pounding, he wiffed on numerous occassions and got burnt on others, but that was about it.
Posted by Aaron | May 27, 2008 5:53 PM