Jetfan13 Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 BY GREGG SARRA | gregg.sarra@newsday.com January 29, 2009 This is about the time of year when Freeport football coach Russ Cellan starts his fundraising. In this bad economy, he figured that finding enough support to buy lettermen's jackets would be no easy task. "It was going to be a tall order," Cellan said. "And our community is great. They always support the team." That won't be necessary. Former Freeport star D'Brickashaw Ferguson, an offensive tackle for the Jets, contacted Cellan and told him he would like to buy jackets for the entire team. Cellan said he wasn't surprised by Ferguson's generosity. "You don't find too many guys on the planet as nice as D'Brick," Cellan said. "I'd have to say that we've been blessed with guys who always come back to this program and help out and do what they can to contribute. This is sweet. It's his way of giving something back Cellan said Ferguson will pay about $7,000 to purchase 47 jackets for the Nassau Conference I champions. "We got an excellent deal on the jackets," Cellan said. "He said, 'Tell me what I owe you and I'll write the check.' He didn't care about the cost." Ferguson earned the Thorp Award as Nassau's top player in 2001 and led Freeport to the 2000 Long Island Class I championship. He starred at Virginia before the Jets drafted him in the first round in 2006. Ferguson proudly wore his own Freeport jacket during the Red Devils' 34-21 win over Massapequa in the Nassau Conference I championship at Hofstra. He celebrated with the players and coaches after the school won its fourth title since 1997. Cellan said no one was surprised that his old jacket still fit or that Ferguson displayed so much emotion and had such fun on the sideline. "He had the biggest jacket they could make," Cellan said, laughing. "And D'Brick loved it. Someone in our community donated the money for that jacket - that's how we always do it. And he knows that." It wasn't the first time a former Freeport star footed the bill for the program. Two-time All-Long Island linebacker Morlon Greenwood, who graduated in 1996, bought the Red Devils an entire weight room for $40,000 after he signed a free-agent contract with the Houston Texans in 2004. "It's a beautiful setup," Cellan said. "Morlon was so excited to enhance the program." John Jefferies, a 1967 alumnus whose son played in 1997 on the Rutgers Cup team, spearheaded fundraising for Freeport for years. "He's been great," Cellan said. "He's a good friend and well versed in the history of Freeport football. D'Brick made it easy for us this year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4HCrew Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 I attended a charity event this past year where D'Brick donated substantial money towards a kids football camp. Very classy down to earth guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Bravo Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Classy move by DBrick! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jbro22 Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Hmm, I use to play pee wee football with Cellans son. Haven't heard that name in a while. Cool move by D'brick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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