DALLAS,TEXAS: Council for Life announces that the featured speaker for the 2020 Celebrating Life Luncheon will be Benjamin Watson, NFL New England Patriot, Super Bowl Champion and Pro-Life Advocate.
At the age of 39, Benjamin Watson has accomplished the American Dream: He played 16 seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots, the Cleveland Browns, the Baltimore Ravens and the New Orleans Saints and scored a championship ring in Super Bowl XXXIX. As a standout athlete in college, Benjamin excelled on the football field for both Duke University and the University of Georgia. It was no surprise that he was a first-round NFL draft selection and powerhouse in the NFL from that day forward.
But Watson's legacy goes well beyond his legendary speed and astounding athletic ability. As one of the most outspoken pro-life voices in media, Watson is passionate about protecting the lives of the most defenseless. He and his wife, Kirsten, have dedicated their time and resources to life-affirming agencies. This year, Watson is producing and starring in Divided Hearts of America, a moving film showcasing the beauty and dignity of every human life. He is partnering with notable pro-life advocates Alveda King, Ben Carson and Abby Johnson in the production of the film. Benjamin and Kirsten are the Founders of a nonprofit foundation, One More, dedicated to spreading the love and hope of Christ by meeting real needs, promoting education and providing enrichmenopportunities. They are the proud parents of seven children, the youngest of whom are their twin daughters born in April 2019.
Honorary Co-Chairs for this year’s luncheon are Lisa and Clay Cooley, a power couple with deep roots in North Texas. Clay, a Dallas native, worked his way up through multiple, local car dealerships in the 1980s. With Lisa’s encouragement, he started the Clay Cooley Automotive Group in 1998, which now includes 13 dealerships employing nearly 1,300 people. The Cooleys have raised three children and are active philanthropists. They invest their time and resources to support dozens of nonprofit organizations, with a particular passion for organizations that positively impact children.
Council for Life Board members and community leaders Shannon Graham and Lisa Luby Ryan are the dynamic team serving as the Luncheon Co-Chairs. Graham and Ryan are unwavering in their devotion to being tireless, bold advocates for life in their extensive charitable endeavors.
The 19th annual Celebrating Life Luncheon will be held on October 29, 2020 at the Omni Dallas Hotel. To protect the safety of guests, Council for Life will follow recommended social distancing and health guidelines and make any necessary seating adjustments. If, due to COVID-19, hosting a live Luncheon is not possible, an announcement will be made no later than October 13, 2020.
Council for Life has raised $8.29 million to fund a multitude of nonprofit agencies in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. These agencies and their invaluable services include pregnancy resource centers, adoption, residential maternity homes, youth mentoring, parenting and life skills education, sexual risk avoidance and targeted media campaigns to reach women in unplanned pregnancies.
Proceeds from the Celebrating Life Luncheon will benefit 19 organizations on the “front line,” actively furthering Council for Life’s mission to empower women, men and youth to make life-affirming choices. “It is a privilege and honor to work alongside our beneficiaries as we continue to change the conversation and the culture to value every life,” said Cathy Sisk, 2020 President of Council for Life.