Erie native and Football Legend Fred Biletnikoff is 2013 Honoree at the Clarion Lake Erie and BelAir

Feb. 11, 2013 - PRLog -- One of the “100 Greatest Football Players” as ranked by The Sporting News will be headlining the 49th annual Charity Sports Banquet tomorrow, February 12, 2013 at The Clarion Lake Erie and Bel-Aire Conference Center.

Proceeds for the charity event have raised money for various organizations such as the United Way of Erie County, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation.  This year proceeds will go to the Fred Biletnikoff Foundation.  The Biletnikoff Foundation Scholarship Award founded by Angela Biletnikoff.  Students will be eligible for the awards based on overall academic progress, leadership skills, and taking part in community activities.  “awards will be made to deserving students in the Erie community” according to Art Arkelian, Founder and Dinner Chairman for the past 49 years.

Fred Biletnikoff earned 1st team recognition his senior year of high school on Pennsylvania’s All-State football and basketball teams.  While in college at Florida State he became an All-American even playing offense and defenses his junior season in 1963. He held the record for the longest interception touchdown return at 99 yards until Hall of Famer, Deion Sanders broke the record by one yard in 1985. He became the number two draft pick in 1965 amassing a Hall of Fame Career, playing 14 season for the Oakland Raiders with 589 receptions, 8,974 yards, 76 TDs, 40 or more catches 10 straight years, All-AFL/AFC four times, 1971 NFL receiving champion, two AFL All-Star games, four AFC-NFC Pro Bowls, eight AFL/AFC title games, two Super Bowls, and was the Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XI.

Other players who will be in attendance are Tony Brooks (University of Notre Dame and Philadelphia Eagles), Kenny Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles), Kevin Mack (Cleveland Browns), Blair Thomas (Penn State and New York Jets), Tony Rice (University of Notre Dame), Reggie Rucker (Cleveland Browns), Reuben Brown (Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears), Ross Fichtner (Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints), Randy Fichtner (Pittsburgh Steelers), Reggie Brooks (University of Notre Dame), and Andy Russell (Pittsburgh Steelers).

The elegant The Clarion Lake Erie and Bel-Aire Conference Center, located at 2800 W. 8th Street, Erie, Pennsylvania is ideally situated adjacent to Presque Isle State Park.  Visit http://www.belaireclarion.com for more information.