NFL legend Brian Dawkins headlines sold-out Ottawa sports dinner for Soloway JCC

Canadian sportscaster James Duthie in conversation with football legend Brian Dawkins of Philadelphia Eagles fame at the 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

NFL legend Brian Dawkins headlines sold-out Ottawa sports dinner for Soloway JCC

Published On: October 23, 2025By Caroline Phillips

Our city rolled out its own brand of brotherly love for Philadelphia Eagles legend Brian Dawkins during his special guest appearance at last night’s 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner.

The Pro Football Hall of Famer spoke before a sold-out crowd of 650 at Infinity Convention Centre, sharing redemptive stories about his relentless career path to the NFL and how he overcame a dark period of depression after making it to the top.

Leading the on-stage conversation was Ottawa-born sportscaster James Duthie. He donned the green and white team colours in honour of Dawkins. It was a gracious move for someone who spent his youth cheering for San Francisco. Joked Duthie: “As a lifelong Niners fan, you tormented and terrorized me for most of your career when you played my team.”

During Dawkins’ grand entrance, multiple giant screens played career highlight reels set to the Lenny Kravitz hit Fly Away. Organizers also blasted the “Fly, Eagles, Fly” team anthem, no doubt filling the special guest with Philly pride.

In the foyer, there was a faux backdrop of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, complete with the Rocky statue, giving attendees the perfect spot for a memorable photo op.

Philadelphia Eagle legend Brian Dawkins, making his grand entrance at the 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner, held at Infinity Convention Centre on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The annual fundraiser for the Soloway Jewish Community Centre is chaired by Paramount Properties principal Stuart Ages, who spoke briefly at the earlier VIP reception about his excitement in finally bringing the sports hero to town.

Dawkins, who retired in 2012, is considered one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history, earning himself the nicknames B-Dawk, Wolverine and Weapon X. “No one fired up the crowd like Brian Dawkins,” said Ages.

“B-Dawk represented the City of Brotherly Love with passion and heart,” Ages added while noting the “tremendous legacy” Dawkins built over 16 NFL seasons.

From left, Shawn Malhotra from Claridge Homes with celebrity sports guest Brian Dawkins and Paramount Properties principal Stuart Ages, event chair of the 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner, held at Infinity Convention Centre on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Lawrence Weinstein (Urbandale Corporation, HN Homes) and Lawrence Soloway, strategic advisor at Soloway Wright Lawyers, at Infinity Convention Centre for the 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner, held in support of the Soloway Jewish Community Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Beyond celebrating Dawkins, the event also highlighted the major role that the Soloway JCC plays in the Ottawa community. The sports dinner remains the single most important fundraiser for the organization, with this year’s proceeds expected to exceed $340,000.

The proceeds, said Soloway JCC president Sarah Beutel, help individuals and families take part in programs they couldn’t otherwise afford, from preschool and kids’ camp to swimming lessons, fitness centre programs and senior activities.

The Soloway JCC is home to roughly 3,500 members but also hosts events that serve the broader population.

“This event is very, very important for us and we’re grateful that the community comes out and supports it every year,” Beutel told CiTC. “It warms our heart because we work so hard every day to help the community.”

Among the Soloway JCC board members in attendance were Randy Greenstone, a partner at Crowe BGK LLP, and Harold Feder, a law partner at Brazeau Seller Law.

For Feder, attending the Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner can sometimes be a nostalgic trip back to his youth and the sports heroes who inspired him growing up.

The evening, with its focus on business networking, is also a chance to get caught up with friends and former colleagues, he added. “It’s set up in a way that really allows people to mingle, to get around.”

Commercial real estate broker Nick Pantieras — who definitely didn’t sit on the social sidelines that night — considers the Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner to be “one of the top events” in Ottawa, especially for the real estate industry.

From Brazeau Seller Law, front left: director of operations Tricia Smith, firm partner and Soloway JCC board member Harold Feder, associate Julia Gadd, firm partner Fred Seller. From back row, left: associate Michael Marcogliese, firm partner David Reid and associate Kundera Provost-Yombo at the 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Soloway JCC board chair Randy Greenstone, a partner at Crowe BGK LLP, and Chris Stevens, also a partner with the firm, at the 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Nick Pantieras, senior managing director at Institutional Property Advisors (a division of Marcus & Millichap), and Billy Triantafilos, principal at TCU Development Corporation, at the 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner, held at Infinity Convention Centre in support of the Soloway JCC. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The event has begun honoring local coaches who are making a positive impact, focusing this year on the sport of football. The audience heard how, for more than two decades, Brian Patterson has been the steady and inspiring presence behind the Bell Warriors’ youngest players. He’s the longtime volunteer head coach of the Tyke program for seven to nine year olds.

“Brian has helped countless children take their first steps onto the field and guide them through football and help teach them not just about football but the lessons you learn from football that are valuable in your life — teamwork, discipline, respect, perseverance,” said Duthie before calling him up on stage to be gifted a signed Dawkins jersey by the legend himself.

Celebrity sports guest Brian Dawkins on stage with local football coach Brian Patterson, who was recognized for his work as a volunteer head coach with the Bell Warriors, during the 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Jacqueline Belsito, president of the Senators Community Foundation, former Ottawa Senators player Laurie Boschman and Ian Mendes, vice president of communications for the Ottawa Senators, at the 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner, held at Infinity Convention Centre on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Ken Ages, principal at Paramount Properties, CBRE vice chairman Jeff Friedman and Jason Shinder, broker of record and CEO of District Realty, at the 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Renowned cardiac surgeon Dr. Marc Ruel, left, from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, and long-time Heart Institute supporter and former patient Nick Pantieras at the 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner, held at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Soloway JCC president Sarah Beutel and Stuart Ages, chair of the Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner. Photo by Caroline Phillips

A major component to the Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner, held at Infinity Convention Centre, is the opportunity to network throughout the evening. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Darryl Bellwood (First National Financial), Adam Zaret, president of Gemstone Corporation, and Charles Mirsky, broker and vice president at District Realty, at the Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner, held at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Joseph Giannetti (Preston Hardware), Mike Sacca (Irpinia Kitchens), Taimoor Aslam (TD Commercial Banking) and Sonny Sohal, co-owner of Infinity Convention Centre, at the special events venue on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, for the 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner. Photo by Caroline Phillips

BGC Construction and Restoration vice president Mike Dagenais, left, and Mark Cantor, owner of The Butchery, at the Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner, held at Infinity Convention Centre on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Graham Bird, president at GBA Group, RBC regional president Devinder Gill, and Rick Iafelice, founder and CEO of Main + Main, at the 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Ottawa visual artist Tony Harris and his wife, Lianne Laing, president of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation, alongside BPA’s Robert Jardine and Brian Johnson (vice president of structural engineering) at the 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa Redblacks defensive back Adarius Pickett and punter Richie Leone at the 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Bell Warriors coach Brian Patterson with young football player Axl McMillan and his parents, Drew McMillan, president of Ages Group of Companies, and Stacey McMillan, corporate strategy partner at Modern Niagara, at the 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Former CFL player Jock Climie, now a law partner at Emond Harnden, at the head table with celebrity sports guest Brian Dawkins at the 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Jacob Shabinsky, nine-year-old Isaac Shabinsky, Ian Shabinsky and Michael Shabinsky, all of Glenview Homes, at the 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, MJ Naim-Brown, director of sales and marketing with Sohal Group of Companies, Donna-Lee MacLean, regional director of major accounts for Rogers Communications, and her colleague, Kristen Keays, at the 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From GGFL, from left: head of tax Chad Saikaley and firm partners Adam Brown, Adam Aronson, managing partner Josh Engel and Jeffrey Miller at the 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Stuart Ages, chair of the Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner, during the VIP reception. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From European Glass & Paint, three generations of Bakers: David Baker, Allan Baker, 17-year-old Griffin Baker and Michael Baker at the 27th annual Ottawa Celebrity Sports Dinner held at Infinity Convention Centre in support of the Soloway Jewish Community Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, RBC, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law.

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