THE HISTORY OF OTFPWA AWARDS

AN INTERVIEW WITH VALARIE EVERETT

THE HISTORY OFOTFPWA AWARDS

For OTF Board member Valarie Everett, the height of fashion is lifting up other women, supporting other women, empowering them and celebrating their efforts.

“Look, we all know the testosterone world that Off The Field and football brings – the life we live in,” said Everett wife of former NFL Pro, Major Everett. “I believe that the success of our guys is on the backs of the strength in their partners and more often than not, the accolades are given to the player. This is true for women outside of the game, too. I feel that women should be celebrated for what they have done to contribute. Women are out there making things happen and spearheading movements. For some reason, it is innate with most women to deflect accolades and compliments and praise with overt modesty. ‘Oh, No – it was nothing! My pleasure! Anyone could do it.’ NO! It was IMPACTFUL. It was MEANINGFUL. It was GAME-CHANGING. And no one else did it – YOU DID IT!”

When Everett became a member of the Off The Field Board of Directors in 2016, she was immediately drawn to the Annual Super Bowl Fashion Show Awards Committee and has since become an integral part of the award election process and presentation. Each year, Off The Field honors a woman of impact with the OTF Woman of Impact Award, and a woman of courage with the Danielle Beverly Courage Award.

The definition of the Woman of Impact Award

dedication to causes that are committed to community service and philanthropy. Off The Field looks to individuals who are leaders in service and philanthropy. This may be women who are difference-makers in private industry, philanthropy or civil service. The candidate must not be a member of Off The Field and must live in or near the host Super Bowl city area.

Previous Woman of Impact Award recipients include: Roberta Adams, Kiersten Allen, Rosa M. Gatti, Cindy Gruden, Robin Roberts, Marlo Thomas, Patricia Smith, Holly Robinson Peete, Dionne Boldin, Tina Simmons DeFoor, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Congresswoman Fredericka S. Wilson, and Traci Otey Blunt.

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms of Atlanta

The Danielle Beverly Courage Award pays homage to Danielle Beverly, a courageous member of Off The Field who has battled and beat breast cancer three times.

Previous Danielle Beverly Courage Award recipients include: Kimberly Alexander, Dr. Keisha Kirkland, Teri Upshaw, Niya Brown Matthews, Kristin Young, and Ericka Lassiter. This nominee must be a member of Off The Field.

Danielle Beverly and friends

The selection process has become streamlined with the search beginning each year in the Super Bowl host city. “We begin reaching out to our Off The Field members that live in the host city, said Everett. “We rely heavily on our OTF members who are familiar with the area,

who have a pulse for what is going on in their communities and know the key women in the area that are making a difference.” Nominations are sent to the Awards Committee via the website www.offthefieldpwa.org and the committee is then tasked with harrowing job of narrowing down the selections to the top three. “This is the most difficult part,” said Everett. “Through the years, we have been introduced to an array of fierce women. Through the nominations, we are privy to the efforts and often emotional journeys of dynamic women. Their testimonies stay with you. Selecting a winner each year can be a daunting task when you find that each woman is worthy of the title.”Taking the burden off the Awards Committee, the top three candidates and the committee’s selection is then sent to the OTF BOD for review, discussion and final vote. Often, there are ties for both awards and in that case – Off The Field will celebrate both women.

Although 2020 was different in many ways, the integrity, selection process and presentation (although private) remained the same – with all award recipients being key contributors to the city of Tampa Bay.

This year, Off The Field Players’ Wives Association presented OTF Woman of Impact Awards to Candy DeBartolo and Lauren Dungy.

“This year’s Woman of Impact Award winners live their lives with purpose and commitment,” said Everett. “Lauren Dungy is a woman of deep faith. She is the ultimate force in community, lives her life through divine guidance and is humble beyond measure.” The 2020 Woman of Impact Award was also bestowed upon Candy DeBartolo. With the need to pivot to a private presentation

ceremony, Candy immediately offered to host the taping at her North Tampa restaurant, Sacred Pepper. “Candy has the most generous soul and the ability to welcome everyone into her restaurant and life - like family,” said Everett. “She is passionate about life, about bringing people together at the table. No doubt, Candy DeBartolo has a seat at the table!”

The 2020 Danielle Beverly Awards were presented to Mitzi Testaverde and Sarina Murphy. “Mitzi’s story is one of strength, resilience and gratitude,” said Everett. “Her testimony is one of love, then loss, then love again.” Sarina Murphy has become an influential advocate in the fight against domestic abuse. “Sarina has a tiny frame, but is a pillar of strength,” said Everett. “As a victim of domestic violence, Sarina has turned her story into one of inspiration that she now shares with other victims of domestic violence. Plus, with a daughter of her own it is personal, and she has built a platform for stopping the cycle of violence with education and prevention by arming young women with knowledge and resources.”

Winning isn’t everything, but when winning comes wrapped beautifully in Tiffany blue - it sure feels like everything! All OTF award winners are gifted a crystal award created exclusively for Off The Field by Tiffany’s. Each award is hand sketched with the award winners name and OTF logo. “We have been blessed with a great long-standing relationship with Tiffany’s,” said Everett. “This year, Tiffany’s of Tampa International Plaza went above and beyond in making sure that all recipients felt the magnitude of being celebrated for their impact. We cannot thank Tiffany’s enough for sharing our passion and importance of these awards.”