Former Redskin tells TD Club what it takes

Mann stresses need for character in athletes.

Former Washington Redskins great Charles Mann collected his 96th career sack in the most unlikely of places–the 46th Annual Touchdown Club of Annapolis football banquet.

Veteran master of ceremonies Dick Duden was introducing Mann as guest speaker when suddenly the 6 foot 6 potential Hall of Famer stood up. Then the same huge hand that sacked NFL quarterbacks 95 times grabbed Duden by the shoulder and gently pulled him away from the podium.

“I’m just anxious to say something. It took me five hours to get here and now I have to wait another two hours to speak,” joked Mann, who flew in from Orlando Thursday afternoon and fought traffic from Dulles to get to Annapolis.

Mann then delivered a heartfelt message about what it takes to become a great athlete. Mann, who earned three Super Bowl rings during his 11 year NFL career, spoke directly to award winners LaMont Jordan and Rayvon Johnson and Joe Salsich as he explained that the key to being a great player was to first be a great person.

“I always talk about the three Cs– character, conduct, and conversation,” Mann said. “You must have strong character, you should always conduct yourself in an upstanding manner, and you need to understand that you represent yourself publicly through your conversation.”

Mann wasn’t eh only ex-NFL player in attendance. Former Arundel High and University of Maryland great Louis Carter introduced Johnson as the Rhodes Trophy winner. Carter, who played five seasons in the NFL, was the last two-time winner of the Rhodes Trophy before Johnson.