By: Dina Phinney, Channel A TV.
TACOMA, Washington. — Current and former professional athletes and local celebrities gathered at Cheney Stadium on July 11 for the fifth annual Seattle All-Star Classic, a charity event featuring a home run derby, celebrity softball game and family-friendly activities.
Hosted by NFL players Rashid Shaheed and Uchenna Nwosu, the event combined athletic competition with community engagement, offering fans opportunities for meet-and-greets, autograph sessions and photos with participants. The festivities also featured a dance performance by Alaska Airlines flight attendants that energized the crowd.
Throughout the day, Shaheed and Nwosu greeted fans, signed autographs and posed for photos and selfies, spending time with attendees of all ages. Their interactions with children and families reflected the event’s emphasis on connecting professional athletes with the community.
The annual event has grown into one of the Pacific Northwest’s signature summer sports gatherings, bringing together athletes from multiple professional leagues while raising awareness for local nonprofit organizations.
This year’s roster included Super Bowl champion Brady Russell; Seahawks legends Lofa Tatupu and Garry Gilliam; former University of Washington running back and NFL veteran Myles Gaskin; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Xavier Guillory; NFL player Malcolm DeWalt IV; former Seattle Mariners pitcher Casey Sadler; Seattle Seawolves standout Eric Duechle; former MLB pitcher and scout Gerald Smiley; Sounders FC legend and coach James Riley; University of Washington linebackers Zadrius Rainey-Sale and Xe’Ree Alexander; professional softball player Kylee Studioso; professional baseball player Blake Lively; NFL alumnus Max Komar; professional wrestlers Rebel Kel and Malcolm “Phlex” Evan; Seattle hip-hop artist Kid Sensation; radio personality Bender Cunningham; award-winning host Angela Rye; track and field athlete Norris Frederick; former NFL linebacker Mkristo Bruce; former MLB player Matt Fields; former Division 1 softball player Michaela Carter; R&B singer-songwriter Rocky Sandoval; Seattle Kraken broadcaster Mike Benton; KING 5 sports reporter Ariel Ursua; KOMO News sports director Niko Tamurian; KOMO News anchor Tyra Majors; social media creator Infamous Kayce; “Love Is Blind” cast member Kwame Appiah; Seattle Kraken radio play-by-play announcer Everett Fitzhugh; sponsored skateboarder Anna Monique; Todd Weathers; Ray Wells Jr.; Matt Gotel; Deandre Campbell; Andrew Mercer; and Devin Short. This year’s returning emcee was Emmy nominated host and former Husky football player Terry Hollimon.
The Seattle All-Star Classic was co-founded by Drew Dambreville and Kerry Carter. Organizers said this year’s event featured the largest roster in the event’s five-year history, along with new and returning nonprofit partners dedicated to expanding opportunities, promoting inclusion and strengthening communities throughout the region.
On the field, Blake Lively won the home run derby, while Rashid Shaheed’s Team We Do Not Care won the celebrity softball game. Softball standout Kylee Studioso was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
Now in its fifth year, the Seattle All-Star Classic continues to blend athletic competition, entertainment and philanthropy, creating opportunities for fans to interact with professional athletes while supporting organizations that serve communities across the Pacific Northwest.
