Charles Tillman's Meijer Celebrity Gridiron Challenge - an all out Aerial Assualt

Charles Tillman of the Chicago Bears invited football fans to share the field with his Bears teammates in the 1st Annual Meijer Celebrity Gridiron Challenge. Sixteen Corporate teams recruited their friends, customers and co-workers to get in the huddle with the NFC Champions as over 1,000 eager spectators looked on from the stands.

The Gridiron Challenge began on the evening of June 26th with the 2007 Celebrity Draft Dinner at the Omni Hotel Chicago. The evening began at 6:30pm with culinary treats and drinks from the chef's at Omni coupled with opening bidding on many one of kind auction items. At 7:30pm, the Celebrity Draft began. At 7:35pm Charles Tillman became the first overall pick in the 2007 Celebrity Draft. One by One, teams entered the war room to strategize over the selections and ultimately draft their celebrity quarterback. First Charles, then Rashied Davis, next Nathan Vasher, followed by Tommie Harris...all the way through to the final pick.

The following afternoon, the Meijer Celebrity Gridiron Challenge took place on Elmhurst College's Langhorst Field. The scene was set..., food from Texas de Brazil and Maggiano's Little Italy, Music from 104.3 JACK FM and over a 1,000 fans anxiously looking on. Teams of six with their Chicago Bear Celebrity Quarterback battled through the first round and into the second preliminary round before the tremendous storm. After thirty minutes of rain, lightening and hail the Gridiron Challenge was called.

After compiling and computing the scores, the 2007 Meijer Celebrity Gridiron Challenge Champion was an undefeated Omni Team #2 who amassed an average margin of victory of 32 pts. The 2007 Runner Up was an undefeated Omni Team #1 with an average margin of victory of 24 pts. For their gridiron greatness, each player was given an autographed framed print commemorating their victory.

The Celebrity Gridiron Challenge is the Cornerstone Foundation's largest fundraiser and with your support we will continue our mission of providing Greater Chicago-area children and youth with educational opportunities and resources needed to excel in the classroom and life. The Foundation's interactive programs and events are designed to help build a strong foundation through education. In order to accomplish our goals, we need you on our team!

The Cornerstone Foundation looks forward to holding another successful Celebrity Gridiron Challenge in 2008. Whether in the stands or on the field we hope to see you there!

Without the help of our corporate partners this event would not have been such a great achievement for the Cornerstone Foundation.

Special thanks to the following corporate partners:
Meijer (Title Sponsor)
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network (Presenting Sponsor- Celebrity Draft Dinner)
Omni Hotel Chicago (Presenting Sponsor - Celebrity Draft Dinner)
International Truck & Engine (Official Sponsor)
Chicago International Trucks (Official Sponsor)
Maggiano's Little Italy (Food Sponsor)
Texas de Brazil (Food Sponsor)
Coca-Cola (Drink Sponsor)