Celebrities Play Ball For A Cause
Few things bring people together the way supporting troops and first responders can, and that proved true at the Rock N Jock Celebrity Softball Game, presented by Folds of Honor.
Held at First Horizon Park in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 2, the celebrities were divided into two teams, with country star Riley Green being captain of Team Military and mixed martial artist Michael Chandler as captain of Team First Responder.
Green’s team included the likes of Ashley Cooke, Christian comedian John Crist, Adam Doleac, swimmer Riley Gaines, Tyler Hubbard, and Zach Top.
Among others, Chandler’s team had Gavin Adcock, Jordan Davis, Justin Moore, RaeLynn, Chase Rice, and Warren Zeiders.
Each team also included, respectively, members of the military or first responders.
The game brought in a total of $670,079.58 for Folds of Honor, which collects funds for scholarships the children and spouses of fallen and disabled first responders and members of the military.
Riley Green Donates $75,000 To Folds Of Honor
As captain of Team Military, Green was asked by VeloTee about what it means to get to play alongside members of the military, and he replied, “Every time that I think that my life is difficult, out on the road playing country music, they remind me I’ve got no clue.”
Speaking with RFD-TV, Green said of the game, “It’s always awesome when you can do something that supports the military. Folds of Honor is special to me because they do so much for the families of veterans, which is something you don’t think about every day — how they’re going to get through their everyday lives.”
He added, “I’ve watched [the game] grow. Five years, I’ve been doing it, and every seat is sold today, so it’s awesome to see the support.”
Green, who put together the Buford Bonds Charitable Fund, through the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, donated $75,000 to Folds of Honor. His grandfathers, Buford Green and Lendon Bonds, both served in the Armed Forces.
Similarly, Mat Best, co-founder of Black Rifle Coffee Company, also donated $75,000.
President Trump’s Remarks
Ahead of the game, President Donald Trump recorded a video statement regarding Folds of Honor’s Rock N Jock Celebrity Softball Game, which was shown on the jumbotron.
“Hello everybody, and hello especially to everyone in Nashville, one of my favorite places anywhere in the world,” Trump said. “The Folds of Honor softball game, that’s a celebrity game. It’s going to be something — I want to see it.”
He then gave a shoutout to a person whose music has been a mainstay at Trump rallies and other events, saying, “I want to thank my friend Lee Greenwood for the incredible job he’s done for us and for, frankly, everybody.”
Trump concluded his video statement by saying, “Have a fantastic time, have a great game, may the best team win, and God loves America.”
Watch Trump’s full statement here:
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The Softball Game
Introduced by Trump in his video statement, Lee Greenwood then sang “God Bless the USA” from home plate.
Sporting jerseys which were emblazoned with the words “Freedom Isn’t Free,” the teams then took to the field.
During the game, Adam Doleac made a home-run for Team Military, and Gavin Adcock made a home-run for Team First Responder.
Michael Chandler then scored a grand slam for Team First Responder, which would go on to defeat Team Military.
For more information on Folds of Honor, visit foldsofhonor.org.