Baltimore Raven Terrell Suggs Reaches Out to Promote Sickle Cell Awareness
In late October, Terrell Suggs of the Baltimore Ravens hosted his first annual Team Sizzle Worldwide Celebrity Weekend at Silo Point in Baltimore. The 3-day, Vegas-style event saw athletes and celebs come together to benefit the William E. Proudford Sickle Cell Fund, in addition to helping celebrate the launch of the linebacker’s entertainment company, Team Sizzle Worldwide, and film company, 1080 Productions. From parties to gifting suites to luncheons and spa services for VIPs and sickle cell patients and families, Terrell pulled out all the stops. We spoke with the two-time Pro Bowler about how meeting a teen with the disease ignited his passion to help out.
PHOTO: Ronnie Wright
HB: How did you get involved in supporting sickle cell awareness?
TS: I met this boy in Phoenix who had sickle cell, a teenager. He was the nicest kid, and he just really touched me. He didn’t have much energy, and I thought, man, how can I help out? It’s a disease you don’t hear as much about, compared with some of the others that get so much press. That’s one reason why it’s really important to me. Same thing with lupus…they’re causes that people need to hear more about.
Fired up on the field
PHOTO: Baltimore Ravens
HB: You’ve been involved with Make-A-Wish Foundation too. What else motivates you to give back?
TS: It’s funny, but I have this memory from growing up. I remember watching TV as a kid, sitting there watching all these people who seemed like they were having so much fun. And I remember thinking to myself, all my family needs is a little bit of help.
HB: And now people are watching YOU on TV.
TS: Exactly. Now I can do something for them. Something to help make their life fun.
Boxer Winky Wright with Terrell
PHOTO: Ronnie Wright
It is nice to see Sizzle get some positive press.