Minnesota Vikings Defensive End Brian Robison Brings Reel ‘Em in Foundation to Home State for Celebrity Fishing Tournament for Charity
On the heels of the NFL season, Veteran Minnesota Vikings defensive end Brian Robison and The Reel ‘Em In Foundation (REIF) will host its inaugural fishing tournament weekend on Lake Fork in Alba, Texas on April 9-10 to benefit Texas-based charity organization K9s4COPS. The two-day event will feature a slew of celebrities, athletes, and Brian Robison himself casting their lines in the open tournament on April 9, followed by a grand prize of $3,000, a live and silent auction, and a sponsor boat tournament on April 10, with all proceeds donated to funds for canines in law enforcement.
The Reel ‘Em In Foundation was founded in 2015 by Minnesota Vikings player and Texas-native Brian Robison and his wife, accomplished Barrel Racer Jayme Robison, following several years of brainstorming a way to translate their active lifestyles into giving back to their Texas and Minnesota communities. REIF, named for Brian’s love of fishing, is dedicated to aligning with an existing charitable organization each year to raise funds and awareness through two marquee fishing tournaments, one held in Texas and the other in Minnesota.
Brian will be joined on Lake Fork by several professional athletes and celebrities, including:
Adrian Peterson- NFL Minnesota Vikings running back
Jordan Shipley- NFL veteran and former University of Texas wide receiver
Gerald Sensabaugh- NFL veteran and former Dallas Cowboys free safety
Terence Newman- NFL Minnesota Vikings cornerback and former Dallas Cowboys cornerback
Sharrif Floyd- NFL Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle
Kevin Williams- NFL New Orleans Saints defensive tackle
Bernard (Fat Cat) Newton- Professional Bass Angler and nationally known fisherman
Aaron Williams- NFL Buffalo Bills safety
Tully Janszen- Former University of Texas defensive tackle
“Not only will the first Reel ‘Em In Foundation tournament be held at one of my favorite lakes in the country, but more importantly in my home state where I have so many friends and family,” said Robison of hosting the inaugural tournament in North Texas. “Our goal is to affect as many lives as we can in a positive manner and to give back to people who need it most.”
In 2016, REIF has partnered with K9s4COPS, a Houston-based charity organization that provides trained canines to law enforcement agencies and school districts and college campuses across the United States through their K9s4Kids program. These highly-skilled and trained animals are partnered with human officers and provide invaluable detection skills that have aided in arrests and locating narcotics, weapons, explosives and other dangers to citizens and law enforcement. Since its inception in 2010 by Houston-native Kristi Schiller, K9s4COPS has raised funds to place more than 100 dogs in 68 agencies and 12 schools across 28 states. Each canine costs between $10,000- $15,000, a price REIF will help to alleviate.
“My dad was a cop for almost 30 years in the Houston Police Department. Many people do not see the hard work and dedication these dogs approach every day with their handlers and give up their own lives for the safety of others,” said Robison. “We felt like these animals and K9s4COPS do exactly what we are trying to accomplish by affecting a tremendous amount of lives in a positive manner by keeping drugs, criminals and other dangers out of our communities.”
The Reel ‘Em In Foundation Tournament will begin Friday, April 8 at Lake Fork with registration for the open tournament from 4:00-8:00 PM. The open tournament will officially begin on Saturday, April 9, with first cast at 6:30 AM or first light (announced the day before) and end with last cast at 3:00 PM. Polygraphs will be distributed at 4:00 PM, followed by winner’s checks. The silent auction will begin at 4:00 PM and the live and sponsor boat auctions will commence at 5:30 PM, finishing at 6:00 PM. On Sunday, April 10, a VIP and sponsors breakfast will be held at 7:00 AM, followed by the sponsor boat tournament. The sponsor boat tournament will end at 3:00 PM and the weekend will close with awards.
Entry fee is $150 per team/boat. The Grand prize winner of the open tournament is guaranteed to win at least $3,000 dollars and the Big Bass winner is also guaranteed at least $750, regardless of entries.
To register a team or boat, sponsor the tournament, or interview Brian, please contact:
Grace Brinkley
Endicott & Co. PR
O: 214-526-3848 EXT 7
E: [email protected]
FACEBOOK: @BrianRobison
TWITTER: @Brian_Robison
INSTAGRAM: @brianrobison96