Pitcock, Lombardi Finalists Visit Houston Hospitals – Ohio State Buckeyes
12/6/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 6, 2006
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HOUSTON, Texas – Ohio State’s Quinn Pitcock, along with two other finalist of the 37th annual Rotary Lombardi Award, spent Wednesday visiting children battling cancer in Houston, site of the Lombardi Award presentation.
Pitcock, LaMarr Woodley of Michigan and Justin Blaylock of Texas toured The Children’s Cancer Hospital and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center early Wednesday followed by a visit to the Texas Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic, Main Hospital and Pre-Teen Room.
Paul Posluszny of Penn State, the final of the four finalists for the Lombardi Award, given annually to the college lineman of the year, arrived Wednesday afternoon following exams in State College.
Pitock spent the morning signing autographs, posing for photographs and speaking to patients and their families.
“I was so excited to see everyone today,” Pitcock, a senior defensive tackle for the Buckeyes, said. “The kids had smiles on their faces as soon as we walked in their rooms. We feel like we’re tough but these kids are the tough ones. I love doing this and giving back.”
The players, along with Miss Texas USA Megan Ellis, a freshman at the University of Houston, also took part in a radio show on site at the Texas Children’s Hospital. Patients asked questions of the group for a kids radio station called Radio Lollipop, which is broadcast to the children at the hospital.
Earlier in the day Pitcock and Blaylock sat in on a class with one of the patients who was taking part in an elementary school class via video hookup between the hospital and her hometown classmates.
The players spent the afternoon getting fitted for tuxedos, conducting interviews and resting before the formal banquet and the announcement of the winner Wednesday evening.
