WTOP/Jimmy Alexander

WTOP/Jimmy Alexander

WTOP/Jimmy Alexander

Hundreds of people packed Franklin Park Saturday morning to celebrate one of the D.C. region’s most popular athletes – legendary Washington cornerback Darrell Green.

During Green’s 20-year football career, he helped bring two Super Bowl trophies back to the nation’s capital.

“Darrell, you represent DC values. You represent the DC spirit – fierce, fast, underrated and a champion,” Mayor Muriel Bowser told the crowd.

“As your mayor, it is my pleasure to do something I have only done a few times. I have to tell you, I’m stingy with this key. This key represents the spirit of Washington. Today it is my honor to introduce the Darrell Green with the key to Washington, DC.”

During the presentation, Bowser named Green, a Houston native, an honorary member of Washington.

“Darrell is one of the greatest athletes of all time. He knows that, but he approaches it with a refreshing humility and commitment to the city,” Bowser said. “He told me he met his wife when he was a freshman and he’s been here ever since. And that doesn’t happen often in professional sports.”

Jewell Green explained what the day felt like for her and her husband.

“It’s amazing. That’s all I wanted for us to stay in this city, and it paid off. You know, I knew if we stayed, I thought God would bless that decision because he clearly told us to stay and it would double, probably triple for us,” Jewell Green said.

During his speech, Darrell Green fell silent as he discussed the decision to make the D.C. area his home.

“I deliberately stayed here. “It wasn’t an accident,” Darrell Green said. “God told me to stay. I stayed. I had to do what God told me. I love my family, I miss you, but I just want you to know that I did what I had to do.”

Green then looked around at those present and said, “This is my people, this is my people. Yes, this is my city too.”

Darrell Green wasn’t the only former Washington player to get emotional during the ceremony.

“I hate it when I cry in public. I always try to be tough,” running back Brian Mitchell said. “But the whole thing is, brother, I love you and I want you to keep doing the things you do because without a Darrell Green there is no Brian Mitchell, the perfect man.”

Darrell Green’s son Jared expressed what it meant to his father to be handed the keys to DC.

“My father always had a mantra about opening doors for other people. With the key to DC, he can now open doors he could never have dreamed of. So this is special for our family, special for our heritage, but even more special for the future generations in DC,” said Jared Green.

The celebration of Darrell Green’s life and career isn’t over yet. On Sunday, the Washington Commanders will officially retire Green’s jersey number, 28, at halftime.

And the excitement isn’t over for the Green family either. Jewell Green said they are expecting a new grandchild Wednesday.

“Oh my God, next thing we know, mentally, we’re going to be born next Wednesday, and then we’ll do everything else after that,” Jewell Green said.

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