Even though we’re best known for our famous steaks, at Morton’s we don’t spend every moment behind the grill! Equally important to us is our commitment to charity and the sports community at large. Not only are we honored to be the “Official Steakhouse of the PGA TOUR,” but we’re extremely proud of all the heart-warming charitable events that we host throughout the year at our 77 Morton’s steakhouses around the world. From football and baseball greats at our Celebrity Server dinners to beloved Hall of Famers at Lunch with a Legend (LWAL), the art of giving – and serving up great memories – is alive and well at Morton’s!

LWAL: Deacon Jones and Vince Ferragamo at Morton’s The Steakhouse, Downtown Los Angeles

On July 20, football-minded fans enjoyed a great meal with NFL Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones and former Los Angeles Rams quarterback Vince Ferragamo who had the room laughing and smiling from the first course through dessert.

Regarded as one of the best defensive ends of all time, Deacon Jones has played for the LA Rams, San Diego Chargers, and Washington Redskins. Ferragamo, who dominated the field when the LA Rams went to Super Bowl XIV, has played for the Buffalo Bills , Green Bay Packers, and even played in the Canadian Football League. Both took time out of there busy schedules to come into Morton’s The Steakhouse in Los Angeles on Figueroa Street and interact with their #1 fans.

ESPN radio hosts, Mark Willard and Max Kellerman, asked Jones and Ferragamo how they felt about Farmers Field and LA having a football team again and both agreed it would be great for the community – especially the fans!

To listen to the Deacon Jones and Vince Ferragamo podcast visit http://espn.go.com/espnradio/losangeles/play?s=la&id=6787756. To view the ESPN slideshow, click here.

Reported by Wayne Pua and Spenser Dayoub, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Downtown Los Angeles (Figueroa). Photo credit: ESPN Los Angeles.

Celebrity Server with Ryan Howard at Morton’s The Steakhouse, Philadelphia

On Thursday, July 21st, 2011, Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard hosted his 2nd Celebrity Server event at Morton’s in Philadelphia. The event featured Howard and several of his teammates, including Cliff Lee, Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins, Cole Hamels, Chase Utley, and many more, who all graciously traded in their gloves and caps for aprons and notepads, as they spent their night-off of the field serving guests a memorable steak dinner.

Not only did they donate their time, but Howard and his teammates also donated signed jerseys and other Phillies paraphernalia to the silent auction.  Additional must-have items included a jersey from Boston Celtics small forward, Paul Pierce, and a signed Muhammad Ali boxing glove.  All proceeds from the event’s ticket sales and silent auction went to the Ryan Howard Family Foundation to support underprivileged families in the greater Philadelphia region.  A sold-out crowd of over two hundred guests were in attendance to support the cause.  Launched in 2009, the foundation focuses on “improving quality of life” for disadvantaged youth and families in the Philadelphia and St. Louis metropolitan areas through the development and implementation of programs that advance education, nutrition, physical fitness, and socio-economic status.  

For more coverage of the Ryan Howard Celeb Server event, visit Phillychitchat.com.

Reported by Alexa Darrow, Cashman and Associates. Photo credit: Alexa Darrow.

 

LWAL: Pat Fitzgerald at Morton’s The Steakhouse, Wacker Place

Over 70 guests gathered in the boardroom of Morton’s The Steakhouse Wacker Place on July 26, as ESPN’s Waddle & Silvy broadcast live with Northwestern University Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald for another installment in Morton’s acclaimed Lunch with a Legend Series. Diners enjoyed a signature Morton’s menu, including the famed Single Cut Filet Mignon with béarnaise and decadent Double Chocolate Mousse, while Fitzgerald discussed everything from Northwestern athletics to Chicago sports.

To listen to the Pat Fitzgerald podcast visit http://espn.go.com/espnradio/chicago/play?s=chicago&id=6803561.

Enjoy this Q&A with Pat Fitzgerald from ESPN Chicago: http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/colleges/post/_/id/3260/fitzgerald-nu-means-that-much-to-me.

Reported by Lindsay Rafayko, Empower Public Relations. Photo credit: Lindsay Rafayko.

LWAL: Morgan Wootten at Morton’s The Steakhouse, Connecticut Avenue

Morton’s The Steakhouse – Connecticut Avenue

ESPN980’s “The Sports Fix” hosts Kevin Sheehan and Thom Loverro set up shop at Morton’s The Steakhouse in downtown DC today in front of a packed house of fans anxious to hear the guest of honor and legendary local high school basketball coach, Morgan Wootten .

 Coach Wootten, the most successful basketball coach at any level…ever, joined guests for a lunch of (appropriately so) the best steak anywhere.  Those in attendance got the chance to hear the legendary coach reflect on his time at DeMatha Catholic High School in nearby Hyattsville, MD where from 1956-2002 he earned an all-time record of 1274-192, making him the winningest coach in the history of the sport.  How’s that for legendary? 

The live discussion covered everything from Coach Wootten’s watershed win in 1965 over then undefeated Power Memorial Academy to his take on the best and most memorable moments in local DC sports history. Wootten recalled friend and fellow coach Red Auerbach telling him after a painful one point loss in triple overtime, “You became a spectator Morgan.  You lost the feel of the game,” and therefore, he was told, he lost quite easily in fact.  Wooten went on to remind the crowd both at Morton’s and over the airwaves that no matter what you endeavor in your life, you have to keep the feel of your game, and you’ll never win. 

Over the two hours Wootten received resounding applause from the sold out crowd, but we would be remiss as The Official Steakhouse of the Washington Redskins if we failed to mention another round of applause that erupted midway through a news break.  Host Kevin Sheehan broke from his interview with Coach Wootten to announce that today the Redskins re-signed wide receiver Santana Moss, former Baltimore Raven Donte Stallworth, and the Giants’ Barry Cofield. 

All told, it was a great day for Washington sports fans at Morton’s! 

Reported by Anthony Hesselius, Linda Roth Associates, Inc. Photo credit: Anthony Hesselius.

Still hungry? Click here to learn more about Morton’s Lunch with a Legend and Celebrity Server series throughout the U.S.