Player in Sunday's Big Game Takes Time for Special Olympics in Phoenix

Knights of Columbus sponsor clinic that features hall of famer, other football veterans

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Jan 28, 2015, 01:01 ET

PHOENIX, Jan. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A gathering of Special Olympics athletes Tuesday was animated by the presence of a Seattle Seahawks player and an NFL Hall of Famer who both experienced first-hand the joy of the Special Olympians.

Seahawks tight end Luke Willson joined the young athletes for a football skills clinic and flag football game sponsored by the Arizona Knights of Columbus, Arizona Special Olympics and Catholic Athletes for Christ at Nozomi Park in Chandler, Ariz.

"What I saw in you today brought me back to my younger days and reminds me that the key to sports is having fun, taking joy in the game," said Willson, who helped defeat the Green Bay Packers in the recent NFC championship game by catching a touchdown from quarterback Russell Wilson – "Wilson to Willson" --, winning the Seahawks a place in Sunday's big game in Glendale, Ariz.

Willson was joined at the event by NFL Hall of Fame offensive tackle Anthony Munoz, considered by many to be the greatest offensive lineman in the history of the game.

"I watched you kick the football and throw the football," Munoz told the participants, "and you did it with spirit. It's a great grace if you know how to have fun."

Willson and Munoz, who played in two Super Bowls for the Cincinnati Bengals, were joined by Munoz's son, Michael, a former collegiate football player, former Kansas City Chief's wide receiver Chris Horn, who now lives in Phoenix, Catholic Athletes for Christ President Ray McKenna and Arizona K of C State Deputy Larry Becker.

"The Knights of Columbus have been a partner with the Special Olympics from the very beginning in 1968, and we are pleased that we could help these young people share in the excitement of big day here in Phoenix," said Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. "Special Olympics does great work for so many people, and that work and events like this serve as a powerful reminder of the dignity and value of every human being."

With more than 1.8 million members worldwide, the Knights of Columbus is one of the most active charitable organizations in the United States, donating more than $170 million and 70 million hours of service to charitable causes in its last fraternal year. The Knights of Columbus is also one of the major sponsors of the Special Olympics World Games to be held in Los Angeles this summer.

SOURCE Knights of Columbus