What: 22nd Annual St. Philip's School Destiny Award Luncheon
Where: Hyatt Regency Dallas
The 411: The Destiny Award Luncheon is an annual fundraiser for St. Philip’s School and Community Center, which features big-name scholars, athletes, and celebrities as keynote speakers and in moderated conversations. This year showcased the "biggest" (literally) star of all, NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal.
O'Neal not only interacted with St. Philip's students — bringing some on stage and asking them what they wanted to be when they grew up — but participated in an entertaining "fireside chat" with former Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson.
In addition, Dallas Cowboys VP Charlotte Jones presented Dr. Bobby Lyle with the 2022 Mona & David Munson Humanitarian Award in recognition of his leadership, entrepreneurial, and philanthropic work in North Texas.
For the first time, the luncheon total surpassed the $1 million mark, raising more than $1.2 million for the St.Philip's students and community.
St. Philip’s School & Community Center is a private, parochial school in southern Dallas currently serving students in grades PK2 through 6th grade, with plans to expand to 7th grade fall 2022 and 8th grade fall 2023. St. Philip’s is also a multifaceted community center, providing numerous athletic, educational, and social services to more than 4,000 children, youth, and families annually.
Who: Pete Chilian was the luncheon chair with Mark Copeland as underwriting chair, and Andrew Weil and Tim Weil as host committee co-chairs. Dr. Terry J. Flowers is the school's Perot Family Headmaster. Notable attendees included Marty Turco, Kelly Turco, Bill Lively, Kit Sawers, Kemp Sawers, Jewel Parrish, and Roland Parrish.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (from left) Reece Weaver, Sophy Laufer, Camille Sturdivant, and Charly Barby; Charlotte Jones, Jerry Jones, Ted Sarandos, and Bela Bajaria
Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys headed to Hollywood on August 11 for the silver-star-studded premiere of Netflix's forthcoming series America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys.
Releasing August 19, the documentary series will "tell the story of how 'America’s Team' established a legacy," Netflix says, adding, "America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys is the definitive story of the Dallas Cowboys and Jerry Jones’ impact on NFL history. What began as a daring purchase led to the assembly of the iconic ’90s football team."
Watch the trailer here:
Jerry, his wife, Gene Jones, and their extended family - including children and Cowboys execs Charlotte Jones, Stephen Jones, and Jerry Jones, Jr. - walked the blue carpet at the The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood in Los Angeles ahead of the premiere.
They were joined by an A-list roster of Cowboys greats, Hollywood stars, and celebrity athletes and TV broadcasters. Among them: Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith (with Smith's kids Elijah and Rheagen Smith), Marshawn Lynch, James Washington, TV host Mario Lopez, broadcaster Al Michaels, sports reporters Andrea Kremer, Jamie Erdahl and Taylor Bisciotti, Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Nastia Liukin, actress Molly Burnett, and Dallas-based reality TV star Rachel Lindsay.
Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, and Bela Bajaria, chief content officer for Netflix, helped throw the event for the Cowboys. New Paramount-Skydance owner David Ellison was there, as well. In fact, he was a driving force behind the series. America's Team is the first project to come out of a joint venture between NFL Films and Skydance Sports.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix's Bajaria told the audience before the screening, “Back in March of 2023, I was having lunch with David Ellison at the Tower Bar, and he mentioned he had secured the rights to the telling of the Dallas Cowboys. I don’t think he got the sentence out before I said, ‘Wait, wait, wait, stop, we have to have it no matter what.’ And he said, ‘No, no, no, I’m telling you I’m getting the deal, I don’t have it closed yet.’ I was like, ‘It doesn’t matter, we just have to have it,'” as she’s a big Cowboys fan. “So, David thank you for saying yes; Cowboys, too, thank you for saying yes.”
America's Team will feature appearances by players who became household names in the ’90s, Netflix says — Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Emmitt Smith, Deion Sanders — as well as head coaches Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer and high-profile fans such as former President George W. Bush and Nike co-founder Phil Knight. It is directed by brothers Chapman and Maclain Way.
America's Team will be available for streaming on Netflix on August 19.
It follows the highly successful Netflix series about the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, America's Sweethearts, now in its second season. Several DCC stars were part of the America's Team L.A. premiere, including Reece Weaver, Sophy Laufer, Camille Sturdivant, and Charly Barby.
Tailgate with CultureMap Dallas Cowboys fans who are inspired by the Netflix show can then get in the gameday spirit at CultureMap's big fall sport bash, The Tailgate. Taking place at The Empire Room on Sunday, October 5 (aka the day the Cowboys take on the New York Jets), the party will include tailgate-inspired cuisine from local restaurants, premium cocktails, sports celebrity appearances, a silent auction of sports memorabilia, and more.
Early-bird tickets are already on sale for just $35. Read more about The Tailgate here and nab discounted tickets here. With sponsors like FLIGHT by Yuengling, Sportsmo, Puttshack, Mizzen+Main, Antone's Famous Po' Boys, and more, this party will score big with everyone. You don't want to stay on the bench.
Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (from left) Reece Weaver, Sophy Laufer, Camille Sturdivant, and Charly Barby; Charlotte Jones, Jerry Jones, Ted Sarandos, and Bela Bajaria
