Coast Guard Foundation Featured on CBS Sports Network
Produced by the Sport Fishing Championship, a series created to showcase the sport of saltwater fishing, The Catch featured NFL superstars and the Sport Fishing Championship’s top anglers. The event included three days of events, music, and entertainment.
In addition to vying for The Catch title, participants competed for the honor of presenting a $100,000 donation to the Coast Guard Foundation on behalf of Harvey Gulf International Marine. Founded in 1955, Harvey Gulf provides offshore supply and support vessels for deep water operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Rising Son's/Team Verizon, led by Sport Fishing Championship angler Jaselyn Berthelot and NFL superstars Alvin Kamara and Raheem Mostert, won The Catch title using SFC’s billfish catch-and-release scoring system.
Other participants included:
- Team Harvey/INIOS Grenadier - SFC boat owner Shane Guidry and NFL players Jeffery Simmons (Tennessee Titans) and Rachaad White (Miami Dolphins)
- Quantified/Team R3 - SFC captain Justin Drummond and NFL player Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati Bengals)
- Lifeline/Team OneWater Yacht Group - SFC captain Blake Bridges and NFL players Quinnen Williams and Quincy Williams (NY Jets)
- Lights Out/Team Salt Life - SFC captain Rob Carmichael and NFL players James Bradberry and Jalen Carter (Philadelphia Eagles)
- Gypsea/Team OluKai - SFC mate Jordan Sanford and NFL players Dalvin Cook (Defending The Catch Champion) and James Cook (Buffalo Bills)
- T-Zero/Team Continental Tire - SFC captain Seth Laws and NFL players Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns (NY Giants)
The celebrity host for the weekend was NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss. Special reporters for The Catch were national sportscaster Sage Steele and Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston.
As part of the weekend’s festivities, four Coast Guard members competed in The Catch Pro-Am, courtesy of the Coast Guard Foundation and Total Marine Solutions. The Sport Fishing Championship also hosted Coast Guard members and guests for The Catch Kickoff Party, featuring Loud Luxury, Big Boi, and Klingande.
“We are honored to be the charity partner of The Catch for a second year,” said Coast Guard Foundation President Susan Ludwig. “The NFL and SFC celebrities participating in The Catch are among the best in their fields. And when it comes to rescuing boaters at sea, protecting the marine environment, and defending our nation at home and abroad, Coast Guard members are the best as well. We are grateful to the Sport Fishing Championship, Harvey Gulf International Marine, and all involved with The Catch for highlighting the Coast Guard. And we are proud to support them when they are in need.”
The Catch sets the stage for the 2024 Sport Fishing Championship billfish season, which culminates with the inaugural Zane Grey Championship Playoffs that features the top 12 teams competing in a three-day, win-and-advance playoff format. The Sport Fishing Championship's 2024 full season schedule is found at www.sportfishingchampionship.com.
The Sport Fishing Championship series includes established fishing tournaments throughout the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico. In doing so, organizers work to positively impact the local economies of historic fishing towns while educating the next generation of anglers in the areas of marine science and environmentally responsible angling.
Title image: Rising Son’s/Team Verizon celebrate their win of the 2024 The Catch title on April 20, 2024. The win gave the team bragging rights and the opportunity to present a $100,000 donation to the Coast Guard Foundation on behalf of the Sport Fishing Championship and Harvey Gulf International Marine.
