Seahawks Star Jaxon Smith-Njigba to Host; Announced Players Include NFL Star Garrett Wilson, Seahawks Legend and Super Bowl Champ Robert Turbin, Marshall Glaze and Kwame Appiah of Netflix's “Love is Blind: Season 4”

Presented by Waves Lifestyle, 2024 Edition of Annual Summer Event in South Sound Will Feature New “Filling the Gap” Community Initiative Highlighting Five Local Non-Profit Organizations

Tickets are now available for the third annual Seattle All-Star Celebrity Softball Game & Home Run Derby (seattleallstarclassic.com), presented by Waves Lifestyle, that will be held on Saturday, July 6th at Tacoma’s Cheney Stadium. More details on the annual charitable event, a growing fixture of the Puget Sound’s summer event season, can be found at: seattleallstarclassic.com.

Launched in 2022, the Seattle All-Star Classic brings together celebrity athletes with ties to Washington State, actors, musicians, local business owners, and community leaders for a day of fun competition and opportunity to raise awareness and support local community organizations.

The Seahawks star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will host the event and will be joined by other celebrities with local ties - including current and former professional athletes, comedians and musicians - to put on a show and support local nonprofit partners through fundraising and awareness building. Other confirmed participants include:

  • Garrett Wilson, New York Jets wide receiver, 2022 NFL Rookie of the Year and 1st Round Draft Pick
  • Lofa Tatupu, Seattle Seahawks Legend & 2-time defending SASC MVP
  • Jeff Dye, stand-up comedian and actor; finalist of NBC’s Last Comic Standing
  • Robert Turbin, former Seahawks star and Super Bowl XLVIII champion
  • Tanji Johnson Bridgeman, 11x IFBB Pro Fitness Champion
  • Ray Wells Jr., All-American track star, Rainier Beach High School and Washington State University
  • Kid Sensation, Seattle hip-hop legend
  • Pee Wee Harrison, Former Harlem Globetrotters Harlem All-Stars
  • Lamar Neagle, Federal Way native, Seattle Sounders legend, and Co-Founder of Ballard FC
  • Bailey (Stenson) Gordon, 2009 National Champion with the University of Washington Softball Team
  • Florexis Velasco, Founder of Waves Lifestyle and fitness influencer
  • Marshall Glaze, Netflix's “Love is Blind: Season 4” cast
  • Kwame Appiah, Netflix's “Love is Blind: Season 4” cast
  • Kelee Ringo, Philadelphia Eagles defensive back, 2x National Champion at University of Georgia

This year’s game will feature the new “Filling the Gap” community initiative highlighting South Sound non-profit organizations addressing inequities in education, youth sports, academic excellence, economic opportunity, and food or family support. The below listed partners receive fundraising support, exposure and volunteer recruitment, and celebrity merchandise for use in their own fundraising efforts. Local non-profit partners include:

  • Push for Dreams: Supporting, training, and equipping school administrators, district administrators, professionals, educators, parents with inspired learning, focused on service-leadership, DE&I, and culturally responsive teaching.
  • ChangeUp Foundation: Provides college scholarships and mentorship for BIPOC students with the passion and determination to continue their education, find and create opportunities for themselves.
  • Sincerely Royal Foundation: Supports at risk, single parent households & less fortunate student athletes, providing an opportunity for student athletes to receive positive mentorship, elite sports training, academic assistance, college exposure, while building bonds, friendships, and positive life skills that will last a lifetime.

“It’s an honor to be hosting the 2024 Seattle All-Star Classic and to support local community organizations working to build a more equitable future,” said Seattle Seahawks standout Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the first wide receiver selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. “I’m excited to take the field with my fellow athletes and community leaders from around the Pacific Northwest for a day of fun and giving back to our community.”

“We’re proud to fill Cheney Stadium yet again with professional athletes and celebrities who want to improve the community where they are from or where they now perform and live by putting on a show for the fans of the Seattle-Tacoma region,” said Kerry Carter, Co-Founder of the Seattle All-Star Classic. “On the field fans will see their favorite athletes, celebrities and musicians come together to lend a helping hand to our local communities. This really is a special event that can’t be missed this summer!”

The Seattle All-Star Classic at Cheney Stadium also features vendor booths, a Children’s Play Area, music, a beer and wine garden and spaces for private & corporate parties.

Local employers can become official sponsors of the Seattle All-Star Classic and support local nonprofits alongside professional athletes and celebrities. Corporate partners can sponsor service members and their families to attend the 2024 SASC Celebrity Softball game. Contact info@seattleallstarclassic.com to learn about all sponsorship opportunities.

About the Seattle All-Star Classic Celebrity Softball Game

Founded in 2021, the Seattle All-Star Classic (SASC) is a star-studded, family-friendly event featuring a celebrity All-Star Softball Game & Home Run Derby at Tacoma’s Cheney Stadium. SASC’s mission is to create transformative events that support and empower the community by bringing athletes, celebrities, local business owners and community leaders together to raise awareness and support the amazing work being done by local community organizations. SASC’s “Filling the Gap” community initiative highlights five South Sound non-profit organizations addressing inequities in education, youth sports, academic excellence, economic opportunity, and food or family insecurity. More information on the event, tickets and sponsorship can be found at: seattleallstarclassic.com.

Jaime Quick for the Seattle All-Star Classic, jq@changeupadvisors.com