Dirk Nowitzki, LaDainian Tomlinson to be honored at 10th annual Emmitt Smith Gala Friday
Recently-retired Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki and TCU Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson along with their wives will be honored at the 10th Annual Emmitt Smith Celebrity Gala Friday night at the Omni Hotel in Frisco.
Jessica and Dirk Nowitzki will be presented with the Roger Staubach Award, which is given to recipients who exemplify excellence personally, professionally and philanthropically. Cowboys tight end Jason Witten was the 2018 Roger Staubach Award honoree.
LaTorsha and LaDainian Tomlinson will be given the Changemaker Award.
Robin Roberts of ABC’s Good Morning America will serve as the celebrity emcee of the gala and Marianne and Roger Staubach are the honorary chairs.
The 10th annual gala expects 750 guests and includes a celebrity red carpet, cocktail hour and reception, live auction, dinner and presentation of the Roger Staubach Award, followed by live entertainment.
It is followed on Saturday, May 4 by the Emmitt Smith Celebrity Golf Tournament at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney.
Proceeds from the event will fund Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, a 501c3 public charity that provides unique educational opportunities and experiences for children.
Focusing primarily in North Texas, Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities Team 22 offers a multi-year curriculum including mentorship, leadership camp, service and unique excursions where they meet with community and world leaders.
The charity also supports an annual back to school program in partnership with Dallas ISD and provides local children’s organizations support through an annual grants process and provides college scholarships.
Smith has raised over $8.2 million over the last 10 years and supported over 150 charities in North Texas
This story was originally published May 1, 2019 at 3:27 PM.
Clarence E. Hill Jr.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram