Thursday, Oct. 24 was World Polio Day and Rotary International’s “End Polio Now” Day.
It was also Jaguars Day at the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach, because Brian Sexton, Senior Correspondent with the Jacksonville Jaguars, was that meeting’s guest speaker.
It also happened to be Sexton’s birthday. So, the Rotary Club turned their morning breakfast meeting at Marsh Landing Country Club into a surprise birthday party for him. Two Roar cheerleaders and the football team’s mascot, Jaxson de Ville, helped lead the festivities.
“My mom was the national poster child for polio in 1947, so this is very meaningful to me,” said Sexton, for whom speaking to the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach is an annual tradition.
Then, when he realized they were also celebrating his birthday, he said, “Wow! Thank you.”
Sexton spoke about starting with the Jaguars 25 years ago, when the team was new. He talked about current players, including quarterback Gardner Minshew II, who he praised and called “wicked smart.” Then he took questions from the audience, including some of the men who came dressed as Minshew, complete with headband and mustache.
“Nobody saw it,” Sexton said of Minshew’s so-far-successful season as backup quarterback for injured starter Nick Foles. “So, it’s been a fun ride.”
He thanked the Rotary members for having him as guest speaker. “So many of you are friends,” he said. So thank you for 25 great years.”
