NFL Champs To Throw First Pitches

After hosting 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson earlier this month, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos will be hosting two more championship athletes from the Pensacola area this weekend. Two-time NFL champion and New York Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes will be on hand to throw out a ceremonial first pitch before Friday night's contest, while Green Bay Packers offensive lineman and 2011 champion Josh Sitton will do the same prior to Saturday night's game. Fans are encouraged to show their support for these stars by wearing blue on Friday and green and gold on Saturday.

Tynes graduated from nearby Milton High School and has won two titles with the New York Giants, including their most recent title this past year over the New England Patriots in Indianapolis. He was originally signed as a free agent by the Kansas City Chiefs, and played there for four seasons before being traded to the Giants in 2007. With the Giants, Tynes has made several clutch postseason kicks, including last-second field goals in the 2008 NFC Championship Game against the Green Bay Packers and the 2012 NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers. Both kicks propelled the Giants to the Super Bowl in those respective seasons.

Sitton is an alum of Pensacola Catholic High School, and was selected by the Packers in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL draft out of the University of Central Florida. Following the 2010 season, he was named the Offensive Lineman of the Year by the NFL Alumni Association, while also being selected as an alternate for the Pro Bowl that year. Sitton won his title with the Green Bay Packers at the end of the 2010 season, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25. He also served as a lineman during quarterback Aaron Rodgers' 2011 NFL Most Valuable Player season, when Rodgers set the single-season record for quarterback rating.

On Saturday, the Blue Wahoos will be wearing special camouflage jerseys as a show of support to the men and women who serve the United States of America. The special jerseys will be auctioned off throughout the game in a silent auction that will take place on the concourse. Bidding will begin at $100 for all jerseys and bids will be taken up to the middle of the seventh inning. Acceptable payment methods include cash, major credit cards and checks.

All proceeds will benefit the Military/Eagle Fund of the Andrews Institute Foundation. The fund was established to provide wounded warriors access to the world-class continuum of care provided by Andrews Institute. Andrews provides customized and structured care to return soldiers to duty sooner.

Friday's game is slated for 7:00 p.m. while Saturday is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. For tickets fans are encouraged to go to BlueWahoos.com to check availability or call (850) 934-8444.