Redskins Meet and Greet
Where: Morton’s Georgetown, 3251 Prospect St. NW
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 5
Info: Free; 202-342-6258; subsequent meet and greets are Oct. 19 in Tysons, Nov. 16 in Reston and Dec. 7 in Bethesda.
Here’s something to consider: access to players of one of the most popular sports teams in the country, no strings attached.
Sound good? Then head out to Morton’s The Steakhouse.
On select Mondays throughout football season, various area Morton’s restaurants host a number of the Washington Redskins for a meet and greet. The event is free of charge, there’s hors d’oeuvres and no prior registration is required. Just come as you are.
“I just came to see them,” said D.C. resident Donna Wood, who made her way to the last meet and greet at the Morton’s on Connecticut Avenue. The next one is tonight in Georgetown. “I’ve never met any of them face-to-face. It’s a good opportunity.”
The relationship between Morton’s and the Redskins started a decade ago, and the meet and greets initially only included the offensive line.
“The players themselves went to the management at hand at that point and said, ‘We want to be more involved with the community. We want to have easier access to the people in Washington,’ ” said Lynette D’Arco, the marketing and sales director for Morton’s Bethesda location. “Basically, the players wanted to come out and meet folks and become involved with the community. It’s just evolved”
Generally, the players show up around 7, usually directly from practice at the team’s facilities in Ashburn, Va. Fans can meet the players and get a few autographs before the players enjoy a private dinner right around the start of “Monday Night Football” game.
“The players get to come here, relax,” said Nancy Hubacher, vice president of sales of marketing for the Redskins. “There’s a nice crowd. Morton’s is very respectful and very supportive of the team.”
Anywhere from 10 to 20 players usually participate, but the list of who is to show on any given night is never guaranteed, and Morton’s management isn’t 100 percent sure who may show.
“The list is ever changing,” said D’Arco. “It depends. The next day is usually their only day off that week.”
No matter who participates, there’s no doubt that getting to meet some Redskins is something any fan can get into.
“If they’re winning, I’m with them,” said Charles Hawkins of Alexandria, who went to the Morton’s on Connecticut to get some autographs and meet players. “If they’re losing, I’m still with them.”
