An unlikely group of congressional warriors traded in hard-nosed partisan politics for a hard-nosed game of football Tuesday night in the fourth annual Longest Yard Congressional Football Game.
The flag football game, sponsored by the National Football League, pitted members of Congress against Capitol cops for the U.S. Capitol Police Memorial Fund, a charity that provides assistance to families of D.C.’s fallen officers.
With former NFL players on their side, including Ken Harvey, Gary Clark, Ricky Ervins, Ravin Caldwell and Kenny Jenkins (Redskins); John Booty (Philadelphia Eagles); and Don Malloy and Ed Lee (Detroit Lions), the bipartisan squad showed the officers that Congress runs this town with a 32-26 victory.
Yeas & Nays dubbed a former Washington Redskin, Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., the offensive MVP for his four touchdowns. Redskins star Harvey believed Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., deserved our defensive MVP, after his two interceptions.
While he wasn’t the buffest player on the field, Weiner exuded a fierce enthusiasm that was borderline crazy.
“Heck, it’s just a chance to run circles around these 20-year-old cops when they are not wearing their guns,” Weiner said.
On the other hand, the superathletic Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., was a bit of a disappointment to his staff. “We had to hide our staff badges,” staffer Tysen Schlink said. “I don’t work for him.”
In addition, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., was untouchable, but mostly because his tight Spandex shorts were creating quite the diversion.
“I hope that someone from the NFL is watching tonight because I’m going to prove that I’m 44 years old, but I can be recruited still,” Jackson said. “There is life after Congress.”
A fan from the stands, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told us she put her money on Shuler for strongest player, “but the others have a lot of confidence,” she said.
Shuler gave props to other teammates, too. “You’ve got some guys who are certainly very athletic.”
Meanwhile House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, in a flamboyant red highlighter jacket, smack-talked the congressional team.
“They’re a bunch of old guys, playing against a bunch of young guys,” he said.
Boehner told Yeas & Nays, “I know better. I got a big birthday coming up in a few weeks. … I figured out what I could and couldn’t do.
“That’s why I play golf and ride a bike,” he added from the sidelines.
