It was a night of celebration at Rickwood Field as celebrities from around the world descended on Birmingham for a celebrity softball event as part of a tribute to the Negro Leagues this week.
While some of baseball's biggest names like Derek Jeter and Barry Bonds were a big part of what drew fans to the stadium Wednesday night, there were also plenty of famous people with Alabama roots.
Tuesday's Celebrity Softball match can be viewed on MLB Network on Thursday at 1pm, so keep reading to find out more about the participants and what the action was like at Rickwood Field.
Athletes try new sports
Among those in attendance were several faces familiar to the state's football fans, who traded in their helmets and pads for bats and gloves Tuesday night. The list of people with state ties included:
- University of Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe
- Jameis Winston, former Hueytown High School quarterback and baseball player
- Najee Harris, former University of Alabama running back
- Terrell Owens, former wide receiver for Benjamin Russell
“It's a wonderful opportunity to be here and it's important to recognize what day it is. It's a day of freedom and a day to celebrate coming here.”
~ Jalen Milroe, University of Alabama quarterback
Milroe was the starting pitcher for the Hammers, but he may not pitch as well in softball as he does in football. Jameis Winston hit a Little League-style home run in the first inning to score two runs off Milroe.
Winston pitched the majority of the game for the Say Hayes team, and he spoke about being in the game before the first pitch.
“I'm so grateful to know that Negro League games and championships were played here, and now I get to represent them and honor that by being out here and giving back to the community.”
~ Jameis Winston
But football stars weren't the only ones on the field: Several Alabama basketball stars also got in on the fun, including former Parker High School star Eric Bledsoe and former Alabama player Collin Sexton.
Sexton said before the game that he just wanted to play well defensively, but he ended up scoring two runs with two infield hits and finishing the game with an outfield throw from right field to third base.
“There's just a good vibe from everybody here… It was great to look around and see how much history there is here. I just remember it all coming together. I never thought I'd get to play in such a meaningful situation.”
~ Collin Sexton, former University of Alabama basketball player
Other big sports stars taking part in the barnstorming Birmingham event included:
- CC Sabathia, MLB
- Albert Pujols, MLB
- Matt Barnes, NBA
- Ryan Howard, MLB
- Dwight Freeney, NFL
- Max Holloway, UFC
- LaTroy Hawkins, MLB
- Stephen Jackson, NBA
Entertainers play a major role in FamJam
Athletes weren't the only ones taking part in the games, with some big games from the entertainment industry also taking centre stage on Wednesday night.
Ruben Studdard sang the national anthem immediately following the Miles College choir's performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” prior to the event, and the Ramsey High School band was in the stands and played music throughout the event.
Birmingham native Roy Wood Jr. appeared on MLB Network's broadcast on Tuesday night and then took part in a softball game. The Ramsey High School product played baseball at Rickwood.
“Personally, I don't think it's really sunk in yet. I played my high school years here and when the cameras and celebrities are gone, I look up and there's a field here that a lot of the schools in the city can play on.”
~ Roy Wood Jr.
Another Birmingham comedian and radio personality, Rickey Smiley, also attended Wednesday night's softball game.
Other entertainers who attended the event were:
- DC Young Fly
- Earth Gang
- Lil Rel Howery
- Omari Hardwick
- Phoebe Robinson
- Sam Jay
The night ended with a Metro Boomin concert on the outfield stage, with most of the crowd staying through the show, getting more excited about each song than the softball game itself.
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Metro Boomin concert at Rickwood Field. (Caleb Turrentine / The Bama Buzz) -
Metro Boomin concert at Rickwood Field. (Caleb Turrentine / The Bama Buzz) -
Fans at Rickwood Field. (Caleb Turrentine/The Bama Buzz) -
A temporary fence was added to the outfield at the FamJam celebrity softball game. (Caleb Turrentine / The Bama Buzz)
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