Gary Brackett's Celebrity Gridiron Challenge - an all out Aerial Assault

Gary Brackett of the Indianapolis Colts invited football fans to share the field with his Colts teammates in the 1st Annual Celebrity Gridiron Challenge. Fourteen Corporate teams recruited their friends, customers and co-workers to get in the huddle with the NFC Champions as eager spectators looked on from the stands.

The Gridiron Challenge began on the evening of July 6th with the 2007 Celebrity Draft Dinner at the Omni Severin Hotel. The evening began at 6:30pm with culinary treats and drinks from the chef's at Omni coupled with opening bidding on many one of kind auction items. At 7:30pm, the Celebrity Draft began. At 7:35pm Gary Brackett became the first overall pick in the 2007 Celebrity Draft. One by One, teams entered the war room to strategize over the selections and ultimately draft their celebrity quarterback. First Gary, then Anthony Gonzalez, next Marlin Jackson, then Antoine Bethea...all the way through to the final pick.

The following afternoon, the Meijer Celebrity Gridiron Challenge took place at Butler University. The scene was set... food from Stone Creek, Hawthorn Country Club and Maggiano's Little Italy and many fans anxiously looking on. Teams of six with their Indianapolis Colts Celebrity Quarterback battled through the First and Second Rounds for the top seeds in the Championship Rounds.

After three rounds of single elimination play, the final two teams squared off in the Championship Game. Team Sky Bank/Paragon Development led by Colts #1 Draft Pick Anthony Gonzalez defeated TEAM IMPACT led by former Colts/Ravens Kicker Danny Kight. For their gridiron greatness, each player was given an autographed framed print commemorating their victory.

  The Celebrity Gridiron Challenge is the IMPACT Foundation's largest fund raiser and with your support we will continue our mission of providing opportunities and resources to children affected by cancer. The IMPACT Foundation will provide interactive programs and resources designed to directly benefit these children and their families. In order to accomplish our goals, we need you on our team!

The IMPACT Foundation looks forward to holding another successful Celebrity Gridiron Challenge in 2008. Whether in the stands or on the field we hope to see you there!

Without the help of our corporate partners this event would not have been such a great achievement for the IMPACT Foundation.

Special thanks to the following corporate partners:

Olinger Distributing (Presenting Sponsor - Celebrity Draft Dinner)
Omni Severin Chicago (Presenting Sponsor - Celebrity Draft Dinner)
St. Vincent Children's Hospital (Official Sponsor)
Crowe Chizek (Official Sponsor)
Defender Direct (Official Sponsor)
Cadillac (Official Sponsor)
Maggiano's Little Italy (Food Sponsor)
Stone Creek (Food Sponsor)
Hawthorn Country Club (Food Sponsor)