USS Midway Museum honors local sports heroes Donnie Edwards, Craig Stammen for good cause
SAN DIEGO (FOX5/KUSI)-- While the on-field accomplishments of former San Diego Chargers' linebacker Donnie Edwards and former Padres' pitcher Craig Stammen have been celebrated, their off-the-field heroics are also receiving some much-deserved attention.
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The USS Midway Museum is paying homage to the former San Diego athletes at its annual American Patriot Award gala Thursday at 6 p.m. on the flight deck of the decommissioned vessel.
The black tie event is being held to honor the dedication and support the two have garnered in helping active-duty military members, veterans, and their families.
According to a press release from the USS Midway Museum, the proceeds from the event will go towards benefiting the Midway's educational programs, including the ‘No Child Left Ashore’ scholarship fund, the ‘Leadership Academy’ which focuses on character development skills for future generations, and ‘Midway Institute for Teachers’ professional development seminars.
A native of Chula Vista, Edwards played in the NFL for 13 seasons (1996-2008) as a linebacker with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers. The Pro Bowler donned a Bolts jersey for five seasons (2002-2006), racking up 17 interceptions and 740 tackles with the club.
Edwards and his wife, Kathryn, founded the Best Defense Foundation, which honors and celebrates war veterans from past conflicts by reuniting them with the battlefields where they served, allowing them to remember their fallen comrades and gain closure. The foundation was inspired by Edwards' grandfather, who was a Pearl Harbor survivor.
Stammen was a pitcher in the MLB for 13 seasons (2009-2022) with the Padres and Nationals. He played with the Padres from 2017 to 2022, appearing in 333 games and posting a 3.36 ERA.
The former pitcher currently serves on the board of directors for the United Heroes League, an organization that helps provide sports equipment, offers sports camps and subsidizes association fees for military children.
Stammen received the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award in 2020 in recognition of his charitable efforts.
