EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants, looked a little different Thursday night.
That’s because retired head coach Tom Coughlin and a number of former and current Giants attended the annual Champions for Children gala hosted by the TC Jay Foundation.
Established in 1996 in memory of Jay McGillis, a student-athlete at Boston University’s Coughlin College who tragically lost his life to cancer, the TC Jay Fund is dedicated to fundraising and the spirit of families whose children are battling cancer. I have spent countless hours trying to uplift the. .
Among the many events held throughout the year, this year’s 20th annual Champions for Children Gala features appearances by many Giants celebrities, silent and live auctions, and tours of the Giants’ locker room and stadium. , and a Kaiseki dinner will be held.
They also welcomed families with children currently battling cancer. Each child was honored and received a locker filled with their favorite toys, memories and keepsakes.
“The energy, the enthusiasm and the fun that goes into it makes it all worth it,” Coughlin said of the event.
The event is regularly attended by Giants alumni who played for Coughlin during his 13 years as Giants head coach, as well as legends who played with the team when Coughlin was an assistant coach from 1988 to 1990. do.
Retired Giants Kevin Booth, Harry Carson, Carl Nelson, Henry Hynoski, Sean O’Hara, Chris Snee, Ottis Anderson and Rich Seubert were all in attendance. John Michael Schmitz, now of New York Center. Junior and Giants owner John Mara were among those in attendance at the event.
October 10, 2024. MetLife Stadium. New York Giants alum Harry Carson and his wife Maribel Carson on the blue carpet at the 20th Annual Champions for Children Gala in 2024. / Victoria Jonak
Most of the former players in attendance were part of Coughlin’s Super Bowl-winning offensive lines in 2007 and 2011.
“It’s unbelievable to put these guys together and have that combination…not just in terms of their ability to play, but their character and toughness,” Coughlin said.
October 10, 2024. MetLife Stadium. Retired New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin appeared on the blue carpet at the 2024 TC Jay Foundation Champions for Children Gala with Giants alumnus Karl Nelson and his wife Inga Nelson. / Victoria Jonak
Snee, Coffin’s son-in-law and one of Coffin’s trusted “lieutenants” in the locker room during his Giants career from 2004 to 2013, is not sure what kind of offensive line he belongs on. David Diehl, Ohio State: “If Harrah, Schubert and Kareem McKenzie were the other guys, I think they would be as successful as they are.”
“Things were moving so fast that there was no chance to slow down,” Snee said. “We all kind of knew we were out front doing our jobs. That’s all that mattered.”
The gala recognized several individuals for their contributions to the organization, including Ralph Andretta, President and CEO of Bread Financial. Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, Founder and CEO of Next 3 Ventures and Governor of Gotham FC, New York/NJ. Robert Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health.
“The more we raise, the more support we can provide to families battling childhood cancer,” Coughlin said.
October 10, 2024: Giants COO John Mara (left) and current setter John Michael Schmitz participate in the annual TC Jay Fund Champions, hosted by retired Giants head coach Tom Coughlin. At the For Children Gala, she stands by an unidentified gentleman on the blue carpet. / Victoria Jonak
October 10, 2024. MetLife Stadium. New York Giants alumnus Rich Schubert and his wife Jody appear on the blue carpet at the 2024 TC Jay Foundation Champions for Children Gala. / Victoria Jonak
October 10, 2024. MetLife Stadium. New York Giants alumnus Sean O’Hara shows off his Super Bowl ring on the blue carpet at the 2024 TC J Fund Champions for Children Gala. |Victoria Jonach / Victoria Jonach
October 10, 2024. MetLife Stadium. New York Giants alum Henry Hynoski and his wife Laura on the blue carpet at the 2024 TC Jay Foundation Champions for Children Gala. / Victoria Jonak
