Washington Redskins Linebacker London Fletcher has established himself as a reliable leader and one of the NFL’s most durable players throughout his 11 seasons in the league. Fletcher was born and raised obstacles with his trademark perseverance and positive attitude. He attended John Carroll University, a highly regarded Jesuit university where he was named Division III National Linebacker of the Year. Fletcher is a tackling machine, leading his teams in tackles and racking up more than 100 tackles for nine consecutive seasons. Last year marked the start of his career with the Redskins and he led the team in tackles with 156 (97 solo). Prior to the Redskins, Fletcher played with the St. Louis Rams for three seasons (1998-2001) where he helped lead the Rams to a Super Bowl. In 2002, Fletcher signed with the Buffalo Bills where he played for four years (2002-2006). In his first year with the Bills (2002), he recorded 209 tackles, setting a career high and franchise record. Inspired by the I Have a Dream Foundation, which helped provide Fletcher the opportunity to graduate from high school and attend college, Fletcher started his own foundation, which provides scholarships to help Cleveland youth attend college and achieve their dreams. As a Sports Ambassador for The Children’s Inn, Fletcher has won the hearts of many children while visiting The Inn with his upbeat spirit and encouraging words.
Washington Mystics shooting guard Alana Beard, from Shreveport, LA, is one of the top players in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Beard, 26, is known for her contagious smile and ambitious attitude, and has amassed an impressive array of awards with the Mystics and during her college career at Duke, which included graduating with a degree in Sociology. Recognized as one of the best college basketball players in recent history, she finished her four-year Duke reign as the all-time points leader for both men and women. In addition, she was the only female Blue Devil ever to have her jersey retired, and was the consensus National Player of the Year in 2004. Beard was an integral part of the USA Basketball Women's World Championship team in 2006, and helped lead the team to a Bronze medal. Now in her fifth season with the Mystics, Beard is a two-time WNBA All-Star and two time WNBA Defensive Team.
Washington Capitals’ defenseman Mike Green is considered one of best young players in the game today. Last season (2007-08), Green, 23, registered 18 goals and 38 assists for 56 points and was one of four Capitals’ players to play in all 82 regular season games. Green finished the season ranked first among all NHL defensemen in goals scored (18), led all Capitals’ defensemen in scoring, and ranked seventh among NHL defensemen in points (56). Green became the youngest defenseman to lead the NHL in goals in 25 years and was named a Sporting News First-Team All-Star in a vote of his peers. Green was originally drafted by Washington in the first round (29th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft after five seasons with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League. Green played one season for The Hershey Bears, of the American Hockey League, before joining the Capitals in 2005-06 where he was selected to the NHL’s All-Rookie team. Off the ice, Green is involved in a number of community organizations and events. He helped raise money for the Children's National Medical Center as part of America's Giving Challenge and is proud of the “Green’s Gang” group he has established. Green purchases seven Capitals season tickets and donates them to Most Valuable Kids (MVK). MVK then distributes these tickets to both soldiers and their families or to boys and girls (18 and under) through numerous non-profit organizations that focus on children in low-income and underserved households.
Washington Nationals pitcher, John Lannan graduated from Siena College in Loudonville, New York. In 3 seasons at Siena, Lannan went 17-9 with a 3.56 ERA. In 2008, he turned in one of the top rookie seasons in Washington Nationals franchise history, going 9-15 with a 3.91 ERA in 31 starts. He became just the 3rd Washington National (2005-present) to reach the 20 quality-start plateau. He tied for 3rd in MLB with 13 quality starts on the road. Lannan posted a Washington Nationals record (2005-present) for a consecutive scoreless innings streak of 21.0. He went 2-0 with a 2.18 ERA in 5 games/4 starts for Washington this spring. Lannan recently launched Lannan’s Cannons, a ticket program designed to bring joy to the children and families at The Inn by hosting residents at Nationals Park during Sunday home games. Each guest receives a ticket to the game, a food voucher, and a Lannan’s Cannons t-shirt. Lannan will meet with the children and their families at the ballpark, schedule permitting, and is planning a visit to The Inn to meet families. Lannan has also participated in a number of other Nationals’ community events.
Washington Freedom defender Becky Sauerbrunn, from St. Louis, MO, was a four-year starter for the Virginia Cavaliers, a three-time NSCAA All-American, ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2007, and ACC Freshman of the Year in 2003. Internationally, she has made 2 USWNT caps, was co-captain of Nordic Cup champion U23 national team in 2008, a member of U23 Nordic Cup champion national team in 2007, co-captain of U19 national team that finished third at the 2004 World Championships in Thailand, and a member of U16 and U17 national team (2000-2002).
In the 2008 season, Bryan Namoffcontinued to be a steadying presence in a United backline that saw significant turnover from the previous year. He started all 27 games that he saw time in and played the second most minutes (2,398) on the team. Namoff also notched his second career MLS goal, tallying in the team's 2-1 loss to Columbus on 4/17. In the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals, he scored the game-winning overtime goal against the Chicago Fire in the 99th minute. In all competitions, he collected two goals and two assists in 40 games (all starts).
Washington Redskins Linebacker London Fletcher has established himself as a reliable leader and one of the NFL’s most durable players throughout his 11 seasons in the league. Fletcher was born and raised obstacles with his trademark perseverance and positive attitude. He attended John Carroll University, a highly regarded Jesuit university where he was named Division III National Linebacker of the Year. Fletcher is a tackling machine, leading his teams in tackles and racking up more than 100 tackles for nine consecutive seasons. Last year marked the start of his career with the Redskins and he led the team in tackles with 156 (97 solo). Prior to the Redskins, Fletcher played with the St. Louis Rams for three seasons (1998-2001) where he helped lead the Rams to a Super Bowl. In 2002, Fletcher signed with the Buffalo Bills where he played for four years (2002-2006). In his first year with the Bills (2002), he recorded 209 tackles, setting a career high and franchise record. Inspired by the I Have a Dream Foundation, which helped provide Fletcher the opportunity to graduate from high school and attend college, Fletcher started his own foundation, which provides scholarships to help Cleveland youth attend college and achieve their dreams. As a Sports Ambassador for The Children’s Inn, Fletcher has won the hearts of many children while visiting The Inn with his upbeat spirit and encouraging words. 
Washington Mystics shooting guard Alana Beard, from Shreveport, LA, is one of the top players in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Beard, 26, is known for her contagious smile and ambitious attitude, and has amassed an impressive array of awards with the Mystics and during her college career at Duke, which included graduating with a degree in Sociology. Recognized as one of the best college basketball players in recent history, she finished her four-year Duke reign as the all-time points leader for both men and women. In addition, she was the only female Blue Devil ever to have her jersey retired, and was the consensus National Player of the Year in 2004. Beard was an integral part of the USA Basketball Women's World Championship team in 2006, and helped lead the team to a Bronze medal. Now in her fifth season with the Mystics, Beard is a two-time WNBA All-Star and two time WNBA Defensive Team.
Washington Capitals’ defenseman Mike Green is considered one of best young players in the game today. Last season (2007-08), Green, 23, registered 18 goals and 38 assists for 56 points and was one of four Capitals’ players to play in all 82 regular season games. Green finished the season ranked first among all NHL defensemen in goals scored (18), led all Capitals’ defensemen in scoring, and ranked seventh among NHL defensemen in points (56). Green became the youngest defenseman to lead the NHL in goals in 25 years and was named a Sporting News First-Team All-Star in a vote of his peers. Green was originally drafted by Washington in the first round (29th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft after five seasons with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League. Green played one season for The Hershey Bears, of the American Hockey League, before joining the Capitals in 2005-06 where he was selected to the NHL’s All-Rookie team. Off the ice, Green is involved in a number of community organizations and events. He helped raise money for the Children's National Medical Center as part of America's Giving Challenge and is proud of the “Green’s Gang” group he has established. Green purchases seven Capitals season tickets and donates them to Most Valuable Kids (MVK). MVK then distributes these tickets to both soldiers and their families or to boys and girls (18 and under) through numerous non-profit organizations that focus on children in low-income and underserved households.
Washington Nationals pitcher, John Lannan graduated from Siena College in Loudonville, New York. In 3 seasons at Siena, Lannan went 17-9 with a 3.56 ERA. In 2008, he turned in one of the top rookie seasons in Washington Nationals franchise history, going 9-15 with a 3.91 ERA in 31 starts. He became just the 3rd Washington National (2005-present) to reach the 20 quality-start plateau. He tied for 3rd in MLB with 13 quality starts on the road. Lannan posted a Washington Nationals record (2005-present) for a consecutive scoreless innings streak of 21.0. He went 2-0 with a 2.18 ERA in 5 games/4 starts for Washington this spring. Lannan recently launched Lannan’s Cannons, a ticket program designed to bring joy to the children and families at The Inn by hosting residents at Nationals Park during Sunday home games. Each guest receives a ticket to the game, a food voucher, and a Lannan’s Cannons t-shirt. Lannan will meet with the children and their families at the ballpark, schedule permitting, and is planning a visit to The Inn to meet families. Lannan has also participated in a number of other Nationals’ community events.
Washington Freedom defender Becky Sauerbrunn, from St. Louis, MO, was a four-year starter for the Virginia Cavaliers, a three-time NSCAA All-American, ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2007, and ACC Freshman of the Year in 2003. Internationally, she has made 2 USWNT caps, was co-captain of Nordic Cup champion U23 national team in 2008, a member of U23 Nordic Cup champion national team in 2007, co-captain of U19 national team that finished third at the 2004 World Championships in Thailand, and a member of U16 and U17 national team (2000-2002). 
In the 2008 season, Bryan Namoffcontinued to be a steadying presence in a United backline that saw significant turnover from the previous year. He started all 27 games that he saw time in and played the second most minutes (2,398) on the team. Namoff also notched his second career MLS goal, tallying in the team's 2-1 loss to Columbus on 4/17. In the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals, he scored the game-winning overtime goal against the Chicago Fire in the 99th minute. In all competitions, he collected two goals and two assists in 40 games (all starts).