Good-cause golfing

Greg Risling

PELICAN HILL -- More than 30 professional football players traded in

their bulky pads for preppy short-sleeved shirts Friday as they hit the

links, raising money for two charities.

The golf tournament at Pelican Hill Golf Club attracted some of the

sport’s top athletes, such as running back Warrick Dunn, and quarterbacks

Kordell Stewart, Ryan Leaf and Akili Smith.

Between the brawny linemen and agile play callers was the man behind the

fund-raiser, sports super agent and Newport Beach resident Leigh

Steinberg. Joined by his partners, Jeff Moorad and David Dunn, the

50-year-old attorney brought together some of his best clients.

“The celebrity tournament gets athletes together from all parts of the

country and focuses on something larger than themselves,” Steinberg said.

“These guys have the capacity to bring attention to all types of causes

and make a difference.”

The agents have instilled a philosophy among their clients, requesting

them to give back to their communities where they grew up and now reside.

Many of the athletes gathered at the golf course overlooking the Pacific

Ocean have started their own foundations.

One of them was Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Derrick Thomas, who

died of injuries resulting from a car crash earlier this year. Thomas was

paralyzed from the single-car crash and appeared to be on his way to

recovery when he went into cardiac arrest and died.

Thomas was one of Steinberg’s clients and was remembered for his

charitable work through his “Third and Long Foundation.” His charity, and

the United Cerebral Palsy Assn. of Orange County, will both benefit from

the money raised at the golf tournament.

“I really have internalized that he’s gone,” Steinberg said of his friend

and client. “I still think he’s going to call in a couple of days, but he

never does.”

Besides the friendly side bets and woeful hacks on the course, most of

the celebrities appreciated their agent’s personal touch in motivating

them.

“He’s not just dealing with the football player, he’s dealing with you as

a person,” Stewart said. “Having someone like that in your corner is

great.”

After the last putt fell into the cup, the group of stars signed their

scorecards and a few autographs before heading to Aysia 101, where they

partied the night away.

“This is a good opportunity for us to catch up with our clients and

address some of the ongoing issues with their contracts,” Moorad said.

“It’s also a chance for the athletes to see one another off the field.”