The Monday Quarterback Club (MQC), the business group that backs the Buffalo Bills, has announced that the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Distinguished Service Award luncheon will be held on Monday, October 12, the day following the Bills home game against the Cleveland Browns. Andre Reed, former All-Pro wide receiver with the Bills, will be this year?s recipient.
Attendees include Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., Bills owner and president, Mark Gaughan, Bills Buffalo News beat writer and Ed Kilgore, WGRZ-TV sports director who will serve as emcee. Also at this luncheon, the Club will announce inductees into its Hall of Fame.
The luncheon, sponsored by Northtown Automotive, will be held at the Harbour Club at HSBC Arena, with doors open at 11:15 am for a buffet lunch, and the program following at 12:15 pm. The event is open to MQC members and their guests and credentialed media.
Now in its 24th year, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Distinguished Service Award was established by the MQC to honor former Buffalo Bills players for their contributions to the team.
Thirty former Buffalo Bills players are past recipients of this prestigious award including;
1986-Ben Williams, 1987-Joe DeLamielleure, 1988-Steve Freeman, 1989-Jerry Butler, 1990-Tim Vogler, 1991-Joe Ferguson, 1992-Ken Jones, 1993-Booker Edgerson, 1994-Butch Byrd, 1995-Tony Greene, 1996-Frank Lewis and Roland Hooks, 1997-Charles Ferguson and Jim Ritcher, 1998-Stew Barber and Ed Rutkowski, 1999-Reggie McKenzie and Fred Smerlas, 2000-Darryl Talley and Ernie Warlick, 2001-Kent Hull and Steve Tasker, 2002-Don Beebe, 2003-Thurman Thomas, 2004-Paul Maguire, 2005-Frank Reich, 2006-Phil Hansen, 2007-Lou Piccone and 2008-Mark Kelso.
The Monday Quarterback Club was founded by area community leaders in 1960. It is an organization of business people that works to support the Bills and professional football in Western New York. The Club hosts five luncheons during the season and other special events throughout the year.
All MQC programs feature a prominent guest speaker and provide an up-close look at the Bills. Those interested in joining can call 693-3807 or visit the Club web site at**www.mondayqbc.com**.
