GOP’s front office wooing ex-Redskin star Darrell Green

The Hill ^ | 3/12/03 | Bill Thomas Open Secrets column

[Gothmog]

It may be just a coincidence that former Washington Redskins star Darrell Green acts like a member of Congress, with a battery of aides helping him manage his busy schedule, but it’s not surprising that a lot of people would like to have him on their team.

As he did on the football field before retiring last year, Green is keeping his options open.

When Republicans held their recent retreat at The Greenbriar resort in West Virginia, the future Hall of Famer was invited to give a pep talk on what he called “the fundamental aspects of the Republican charter.”

Green, who thought his message was “well received,” said his involvement in the event came about through “my very healthy relationship with the White House” and President Bush’s faith-based initiative.

Since 1988, Green has headed the Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation, an organization that helps local inner-city children “by teaching them strong moral values.” Like other football greats in Congress, former Republican Reps. J.C. Watts and Steve Largent of Oklahoma and Jack Kemp of New York, Green lines up to the right on most issues.

“I’m not a politician,” he said, though he’s not ruling out politics as a second career. “I’d never say ‘never.’ If I did get involved, the impact that I could have would have to be clear to me.”

However, there’s no shortage of Republicans eager to show Green what he could do for the party, particularly if he set his sights on the job currently held by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.).

“ He was impressive at the retreat, and if he decides to run for the House as a Republican, there are a lot of people who would be very excited,” said a spokesman for the National Republican Campaign Committee.

[jpl]

He and Bruce Smith truly are role models for our younger generation.

The Bruce Smith who was once suspended by the NFL for cocaine and his associations with a dealer? Hardly my notion of a role model for the younger generation. Darrell Green is without question though.

[Coop]

The congenial Bruce Smith who annually goes back to Tidewater and has charity softball games, golf tournaments and auctions loaded with star athletes to benefit children. That Bruce Smith. Certainly my idea of a role model.

[T Lady]

This does my heart a lot of good!

...Another young mind spared from the Democratic/NAACP Blacks Are Victims-America Is Racist Brainwashing Machine.

-Regards, T.

[relee]

...You Redskins fans kill me. It was Eric Dickerson...

You need to go to Darrell's website and watch the video of him chasing down Tony Dorsett!

[Brytani]

Both of my computers, the one at home and the one at my office has a #28 Washington Redskins bear sitting on the monitor.

Green has always been my all-time favorite football player. He is a man of class who never let his fame or fortune go to his head. Now that I learn he's a Republican, my respect for him has increased - if that was even possible.

I'll miss seeing the fastest man in the NFL racing up and down the field for my beloved Redskins, but I will look for him in office.

[Brytani]

Green, in his 18 seasons playing for the Washington Reskins ran down all the greats and all the not so greats. Dorsett and Dickerson included.

[merak]

Anybody who could survive 20 years as a defensive back in the NFL has to be some sort of a genius. He's got my vote all the way.

[Dante3]

According to one report, Tillman gave up a $3.5 million contract.

[ewing]

Give him a real seat in Virgina!