POMONA, N.Y. – You might wonder how a charity softball game expected to feature nearly 100 Giants players from the past and present goes from an idea in the mind of a super fan a decade ago to the mega-event it again promises to be Saturday.
Well, here’s the simple answer: Joe Ruback just asked.
Known in NFL circles as “License Plate Guy,” Ruback approached former Giants safety Landon Collins at the Pro Bowl in January 2017 to gauge his interest in being the headliner of an event that would serve both a proud fan base and a charitable cause to boot.
Thus the Landon Collins Celebrity Softball Game was born.
And now, in its third iteration since the event’s inception, Giants star Brian Burns and Ruback will look to build on that tradition Saturday inside Clover Stadium, home of the New York Boulders of the Frontier League.
Burns and two-time Super Bowl champion Brandon Jacobs will serve as captains in the Brian Burns Celebrity Softball Game that will pit former Giants – including members of the Super Bowl 42 and 46 teams – against those on the current team. Giants coach John Harbaugh is expected to make an appearance, and one of the most anticipated showings is that of Odell Beckham Jr., who has committed to being a part of the festivities as well.
For Burns, this was an opportunity he jumped at when Ruback reached out to his brother, Stanley McGlover, to see if the 28-year-old Pro Bowler wanted to follow in the footsteps of Collins and another former headliner in Dexter Lawrence, now with the Cincinnati Bengals.
“We all have what we accomplish in football, and that in and of itself is special, but to understand the power of that in the community, to act on it, I’ve come to appreciate that a lot,” Burns told NorthJersey.com and The Record during a tour of the stadium for the event earlier this month. “As a young player, I’m not sure everybody gets that. You don’t understand the true impact you have. But as the years go on, the more experience you gather, the more people you reach with your voice and your actions, it starts to settle into your mind, you want to put your stamp on it.”
Burns has used his foundation, Brian Burns Family Charities, as a jumping off point to start the “I Am a Champion of Autism” initiative. The goal included promoting inclusion and understanding of autism as well as empower families, especially fathers, of autistic children. McClover’s son, 7-year-old Champ, is on the autism spectrum, and Burns has made it a priority to help bring understanding and awareness to break down the stigma and misconceptions associated with autism.
“Just letting the autism community know that I’m here and I care,” Burns said. “It’s crucial to use my platform and my voice to speak for others that can’t.”
This event has previously supported causes and raised money for the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund and St. Christopher’s, Inc., a school for children with special needs. Burns’ HYPE4LIFE Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to increasing awareness about autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and supporting families affected by these challenges.
“I had a conversation with a buddy of mine who asked if I thought we’d raise more than the $60,000 we did two years ago,” Ruback said. “My response was simple: I asked him if he remembered what charity that money went to, and he couldn’t. And that’s exactly the point. The amount raised isn’t what should be remembered. What matters is why we’re doing this. This event is for HYPE4LIFE and for autism awareness. The dollars are important because they help make a difference, but the true purpose of this game has always been bigger than any number. It’s about bringing people together to support an incredible cause and create real impact where it matters most.”
Parking lots open at 12 p.m. and parking is $10. The festivities will include a dodge ball game (5 p.m.) and a home run derby (6 p.m.) followed by the softball game (7 p.m.). Gates are scheduled to open at 2 p.m.
Rosters for the Brian Burns Celebrity Softball Game
Here is the list of players committed to participating Saturday, subject to change:
Team Burns
- Brian Burns
- John Harbaugh
- Jaxson Dart
- Malik Nabers
- Cameron Skattebo
- Andrew Thomas
- Abdul Carter
- Jameis Winston
- Kayvon Thibodeaux
- Tyrone Tracy Jr.
- Isaiah Likely
- Jermaine Eluemunor
- Theo Johnson
- Arvell Reese
- Sisi Mauigoa
- Colton Hood
- Malachi Fields
- Bobby Jamison-Travis
- J.D. Davis
- Jack Kelly
- Darius Slayton
- Jevon Holland
- Gunner Olszewski
- Tyler Nubin
- Micah McFadden
- Darius Alexander
- Dru Phillips
- Thomas Fidone
- Jason Pinnock
- Tae Banks
- Beau Brade
- Greg Newsome
- Devin Singletary
- Isaiah Hodgins
- Art Green
- Calvin Austin
- Aaron Stinnie
- Darius Muasau
- Zach Triner
- Dalen Cambre
- Caleb Murphy
- John Michael Schmitz
- Chauncey Golston
- Roy Robertson-Harris
- Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Bucs)
- Janarius Robinson (free agent)
- Brandon Johnson (Steelers)
- Elizabeth Mason (former pro softball star)
Team Jacobs
- Brandon Jacobs
- Eli Manning
- Odell Beckham Jr.
- Justin Tuck
- David Tyree
- Ahmad Bradshaw
- Mario Manningham
- Hakeem Nicks
- Amani Toomer
- Prince Amukamara
- Rich Seubert
- Chris Snee
- Kevin Boss
- Michael Boley
- Jay Alford
- Deon Grant
- Henry Hynoski
- Madison Hedgecock
- Chris Canty
- Johnathan Hankins
- Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie
- Jonathan Casillas
- Luke Petitgout
- David Wilson
- Da’Rel Scott
- Damontre Moore
- Greg Jones
- Danny DePalma
- Anthony Wright
- Tank Daniels
- Charles James II
- Jessie Armstead
- Brandon London
- Stephen Baker
- Rodney Hampton
- Charles Way
- A.J. Andrews (former pro softball star)
