Washington Redskins Gather at Welcome Home Luncheon: PHOTOS

Scroll down to see Red Carpet photos of Washington Redskins players

ASHBURN, VA — Washington Redskins players were welcomed back home to Redskins Park at the 55th annual Washington Redskins Welcome Home Luncheon on Aug. 31. Marking the end of the training camp in Richmond and beginning of the regular Redskins game season, current and former players, coaching staff, cheerleaders and guests attended the event at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner in McLean, Va.

Lining the red carpet at the start of the event were the majority of the Redskins’ starting lineup, although more than half of the team were then traveling to Florida for the preseason finale with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since that game had been moved up one day because of the anticipated weather.

Pro Football Hall of Famers Darrell Green, Sonny Jurgensen, Bobby Mitchell, John Riggins and Charley Taylor attended the event.

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe spoke at the event, pitching the state of Virginia as the ideal location for the next Redskins stadium.

SEE ALSO: Virginia in 'Serious Negotiations' with Redskins on Stadium Location

The Welcome Home Luncheon provided attendees with an introduction to the upcoming season and an opportunity to look back on last season by highlighting the team’s work, both on and off the field.

Hosted the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation, the luncheon is the largest yearly fundraiser for its charitable programs for children living in the Washington, D.C. region. Established in 2000, the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation has given back more than $20 million to the community. In 2015, the Charitable Foundation provided support, inspiration and resources for more than 190,000 children, according to the Washington Redskins.

Master of Ceremonies Lindsay Czarniak launched the event. The U.S. Marine Corps conducted the Presentation of Colors and the National Anthem was sung by Malik Walton of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington.

Highlights at the event included the NFC East Championship Proclamation by Redskins President Bruce Allen and Virginia Senator Chap Petersen.

Washington Redskins team members and alumni were announced as they entered the banquet and then proceeded to the stage for photos.

Five Washington Redskins players were honored at the event for their accomplishments, both on the field, and off the field in the Washington, D.C. regional community for their charitable efforts and outreach.

The five award winners for 2015 were:

• Derrick Dockery, former Redskins Guard: "Washington Redskins Salute Award," presented by Major General Bradley A. Becker
• Ryan Kerrigan, Linebacker: "Washington Redskins Community Man of the Year," presented by alumnus Darrell Green
• Dustin Hopkins, Kicker: "Mark Moseley Special Teams Player Of The Year," presented by alumnus Mark Moseley
• Chris Baker, Defensive Lineman: "Sam Huff Defensive Player Of The Year," presented by alumnus Brig Owens
• Kirk Cousins, Quarterback: "Bobby Mitchell Offensive Player Of The Year," presented by alumnus and team senior personnel executive Doug Williams

The first award announced at the luncheon, the “Washington Redskins Salute Award,” was presented by Major General Bradley A. Becker to Redskins alumnus Derrick Dockery. Given out annually, the award is awarded to the current or past player who has given the most support to the military and their families.

Since his retirement from the NFL in 2012, Dockery and his wife Emma have been passionate supporters of military causes. The Dockery’s founded Yellow Ribbons United (YRU), an organization focused on uniting professional sports, corporations and the public to support America’s military families and veterans. Each year, the Dockery’s host events, featuring Redskins players and alumni, in order to promote awareness of the cause.

Following the lunch, Redskins alum Darrell Green presented the next award, the “Community Man of the Year,” to Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan. According to the Redskins, Kerrigan has been instrumental to the Charitable Foundation’s impact on children in the greater Washington, D.C. metro area.

Kerrigan has participated in many community events on behalf of the Charitable Foundation, from visits to pediatric wings at a local children’s hospital to participating in the Charitable Foundation’s events, including the annual Skins Santa Shoppe and the Fuel Up to Play 60 event.

In Loudoun County, Kerrigan hosts the annual “Ryan Kerrigan Leukemia Golf Classic” at Lansdowne Resort. Benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the 2016 event this past May raised more than $563,000.

SEE: Ryan Kerrigan Leukemia Golf Classic Raises $563K

In 2013, Kerrigan founded the Blitz for the Better Foundation to provide opportunities, support and resources for children and families in need, with the specific focus on seriously ill, special needs and physically challenged children throughout the region. In 2015, Kerrigan set up “Kerrigan’s Corner,” a program to provide gaming systems, movies and toys to children in the in-patient surgery wing at Children’s National Health System. The program has since been expanded to two additional area hospitals.

Redskins alumnus Mark Moseley presented the next award, “Mark Moseley Special Teams Player of the Year” to Dustin Hopkins. After joining the Redskins in 2015, Hopkins made an immediate impact to the team and also began contributing to the community, according to the Redskins. For example, Hopkins has given a motivational speech to students at a local elementary school; provided new coats for children at the Charitable Foundation’s Share the Warmth event; participated in a Charitable Foundation Flag Football experience for local middle school students; and gave out gifts at FexExField to more than 200 students during the Charitable Foundation’s annual Skins Santa Shoppe.

Following up, alumnus Brig Owens presented the “Sam Huff Defensive Player of The Year” award to Defensive End Chris Baker. In addition to his contributions to the team, Baker has participated in many Charitable Foundation events, including the Draft Day Dash 5K and the Redskins Charity Golf Classic. He frequently visits schools to promote reading events and physical activity, according to the Redskins.

Alumnus and Team Senior Personnel Executive Doug Williams next presented the “Bobby Mitchell Offensive Player of the Year” to Quarterback Kirk Cousins. Cousins not only volunteers extensively in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area but works closely with the International Justice Mission, helping to raise more than $40,000 to benefit victims of violence, sexual exploitation, slavery and human trafficking. Here in Washington, D.C., Cousins supports the Washington Humane Society and Friends of Homeless Animals.

Closing out the event was Master of Ceremonies Lindsay Czarniak. It was a fitting welcome back for a great team who score big on the field and also by volunteering their free time to worthy community causes in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

SEE ALSO: Redskins Rally at One Loudoun Set for Sept. 10

Photo credits: Sharon Reed