U-Haul Plays Football with Pros, Raises Funds for Charity

Apr 12, 2017

The Ultimate Football Experience is a fantasy day in Tempe, Arizona giving gridiron fans from the corporate world the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play football with the pros. Team U-Haul was back for the fourth year competing in the 2017 Kurt Warner Ultimate Football Experience. The team of eight U-Haul Team Members and friends played in the prestigious flag football event hosted by the recently announced, hall of fame quarterback on March 11th at the Arizona Cardinals’ training facility in Tempe.

Draft Party

The event began Friday night, March 10th at Octane Raceway in Scottsdale. Players got to participate in various events including go-kart races, Segway races, and the QB football throw to determine their rank in the draft later that evening. Draft picks for this year’s event included David Carr, David Johnson, Brad Kaaya, Brock Osweiler, Dak Prescott, Mohamed Sanu, Jameis Winston, and of course Kurt Warner.

There were also auction items available to bid on throughout the evening with all proceeds going back to the foundation.

The Kurt Warner Ultimate Football Experience is the main fundraiser for Warner’s First Things First Foundation, of which U-Haul is a proud sponsor. First Things First helps hard-working, single-parent families achieve their goal of home ownership. U-Haul is also a proud sponsor of the foundation’s other charity event, Homes for the Holidays.

During the draft party, Team U-Haul carefully deliberated on their draft strategy and came out victorious with the draft pick, Brad Kaaya. After the draft party, players were encouraged to get home and get some rest for the long day ahead of them.

UFE Game Day

The weather couldn’t have been better at the following day’s UFE Game Day. The Arizona Cardinal’s offered full use of their training facility to the participants of the UFE. After stretching and a brief warm up the players headed to their fields for game one.

 

After a long day of fast-paced back to back games, Team U-Haul came out with an overall finish of two wins and one loss.  Team U-Haul finished with high spirits having had an amazing experience sharing the playing field with the likes of some of NFL’s greatest players and supporting a great cause.

“I enjoyed representing U-Haul with such a great organization like the Kurt Warner Foundation,” said U-Haul Team Member, Norman Dudley. “I’m amazed by the amount U-Haul gets involved in foundations like this. I’m glad to be a part of a team that supports a good cause”.

Dak Prescott and the team ultimately took home the championship defeating Team UFE quarterbacked by the host himself, Kurt Warner. But the real winners are those served by FTF with approximately $130k raised!

To check out highlights from last year’s UFE click here.

More articles like this one…

What’s New

Community Spirit: U-Haul Volunteers Help at André House

Community Spirit: U-Haul Volunteers Help at André House

Over half a million people face food insecurity in Maricopa County. Local nonprofits work daily to address this ongoing concern, but could not service those in need with the commitment of community and business members who choose to step up and help. U-Haul...

U-Haul Volunteers Gain Satisfaction from Service at St. Mary’s

U-Haul Volunteers Gain Satisfaction from Service at St. Mary’s

U-Haul® volunteers recently helped St. Mary’s Food Bank put a fresh spin on its mission to provide food for people in need across Arizona. Thanks to St. Mary’s partnership with meal-kit company HelloFresh®, people facing food insecurity can now receive both an...

Texas Panhandle Wildfires: U-Haul Offering 30 Days Free Storage

Texas Panhandle Wildfires: U-Haul Offering 30 Days Free Storage

U-Haul® is offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container usage to residents impacted by the wildfires across the Texas panhandle. The Smokehouse Creek Fire started on Monday and has burned more than 1 million acres. It’s the largest in the state’s...

U-Haul and ACS Join Forces in Climb to Conquer Cancer

U-Haul and ACS Join Forces in Climb to Conquer Cancer

The Climb to Conquer Cancer of Phoenix is the American Cancer Society’s largest single-day climb event in the world. Every February in Arizona, thousands of cancer survivors, family members, caregivers and supporters participate in the Climb to Conquer Cancer. U-Haul...

U-Haul, Tribute Journey Spread Valentine’s Day Love to Veterans

U-Haul, Tribute Journey Spread Valentine’s Day Love to Veterans

February 14 is not just Valentine's Day. It is recognized as a National Salute to Veteran Patients day. During Valentine's Day week each year, U-Haul and the Tribute Journey say “thank you” to veterans of the U.S. Armed Services who are cared for in Department of...

U-Haul International Moves with U-Box Makes Moving Abroad Easy

U-Haul International Moves with U-Box Makes Moving Abroad Easy

Every new year invites new adventures. If your 2024 adventures include moving abroad, U-Haul International Moves® is equipped and licensed to support your exciting transition each step of the way. The U-Haul® brand is known globally for empowering do-it-yourself...

U-Haul Helps Kurt Warner Charity Change Lives of Arizona Family

U-Haul Helps Kurt Warner Charity Change Lives of Arizona Family

When Luz decided to apply for Habitat for Humanity of Central Arizona’s Homeownership Program, she had no idea just how much of an impact it would have on her son, Jason. The family met Habitat’s criteria and completed more than 400 hours of “sweat equity” by working...

U-Haul Recognizes Its 2023 Volunteers of the Year

U-Haul Recognizes Its 2023 Volunteers of the Year

TEMPE, Ariz. — Michelle Vukov-Mikel and Michele Ramirez have been honored as the U-Haul® Volunteers of the Year for 2023. At the end of each year, U-Haul recognizes the Team Member(s) who has volunteered the most hours, supported the greatest number of U-Haul charity...