Tag: Julie Donaldson

Pro Bowlers giving back to other communities

Washington’s Pro Bowlers gave back to the community on Saturday.

Saturday was about giving back to the community.

The NFL scheduled time out for this season’s Pro Bowlers to come out and participate in the refurbishing the Reynolds Boys and Girls Club in Las Vegas.

“It’s great what the NFL has done,” said former Washington linebacker and current member of the Commanders broadcasts London Fletcher. “They come into these communities and they give back, refurbishing the Boys & Girls Club here and also encouraging kids to get out of the house and play 60 minutes a day.”

“This is really rewarding, I like giving back to the community, ” said Terry McLaurin. “It doesn’t matter if I am in the DMV, Indianapolis, or Las Vegas. It is a unique opportunity to talk to kids, letting them see you without your helmet.”

“It’s been a bunch of fun being able to be around all of these guys, laugh and joke around,” expressed Commanders DT Daron Payne. “I got a chance to paint a little bit. It’s a bunch of fun to be able to give back to the community.”

“I hope the kids have some fun. I don’t know if they should learn anything from me,” said Tress Way. “But hopefully, they do have fun. This has been really cool, the structure of it, how they have treated us. Splitting everyone up into competing in different types of games has been fun too.”

The Pro Bowl Games television coverage will continue Sunday at 3 pm and be televised by ESPN, ABC, ESPN+ and Disney XD.

Sunday, there will be two 7 on 7 Flag Football games instead of an actual Pro Bowl “game” between the AFC and NFC. Also on the schedule for Sunday will be the following:

  • Best Catch – Finale
  • Gridiron Gauntlet
  • Move the Chains
  • Kick Tac Toe

According to Julie Donaldson, Major Tuddy, is a big hit with the kids out in Las Vegas.

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Washington Commanders reached out to Frank Herzog after 18 years

The final installment of our interview with the legendary voice of Washington’s franchise, Frank Herzog. Frank discusses coming back for Sonny’s jersey retirement and how good everyone in the organization was to him.

Frank Herzog was in this 26th season broadcasting all of the WMAL Washington Redskins football games from 1979-2004.

But all good things must come to an end.

This is the fifth and final installment in our Commanders Wire feature on Washington broadcast legend Frank Herzog.

Part one.     Part two.     Part Three    Part Four

December 2004, Frank Herzog remembers a broadcast producer expressed, “Hey, our Christmas party is this weekend, and I think you should go.”

“Ok, I can go, I guess,” replied Frank. “No, I think you ought to be there. You need to show your face.”

Herzog initially found that odd but went and was introduced to a man from the CBS parent offices in Philadelphia. Then the man showed up in the broadcast booth that Sunday. “Sure enough, following the season, there was a meeting at a coffee shop in Montgomery Mall, and I was informed they were not bringing me back the next (2005) season.”

“I was puzzled, of course, but I had to learn to accept it. What else can you do? Those are the facts of life.”

18 years later, the Friday before the season finale, Herzog found Julie Donaldson and Bram Weinstein reaching out to him on the phone, apologizing Herzog had not been officially invited to Sonny Jurgensen’s jersey retirement on Jan. 8.

Donaldson and Weinstein wanted Herzog at FedEx Field. Even more, they wanted him in the booth during some of the broadcast as well. The Commanders made all the travel arrangements. Sunday, Frank was on a flight from Wilmington (NC), arriving at noon.

“They had a chauffeur (Pierre) in a big black SUV meet me and drive me to FedEx. They escorted me to my suite, then to the broadcast booth for the pre-game segment with Julie Donaldson. Employees and fans were so nice to me, greeting me and welcoming me. I was treated as first class.”

Donaldson had asked Herzog during the pregame show to do his legendary call (“Touchdown, Washington Redskins”), but he kindly declined, stating he had only done the call during actual game broadcasts (1979-2004) and would prefer to keep it that way.

That is Herzog, the professional, the man who was skilled in his craft. He doesn’t want the call to ever become corny or silly. He wants it to be remembered as it actually was, in the heat of NFL competition.

Donaldson was also professional, apologizing to Herzog during the on-air segment for his not having been officially invited. She even stated she was partly responsible and expressed her love and respect for the work Herzog had accomplished. She demonstrated class and humility.

Invited back for the third quarter Herzog sat and interacted with Weinstein, Donaldson and London Fletcher on the broadcast.

Weinstein (49) grew up listening to Herzog and was the sideline reporter during the 2006-2008 seasons.

Upon landing the job, Weinstein had even reached out to Herzog for professional advice. “I am certainly aware I am only the third play-by-play announcer for this team since 1979 (Herzog, then Larry Michael (2005-2019). I respect the legacy of this team, and Frank is a big part of it.”

“When the third quarter began, I was so happy Frank was there with us,” Weinstein expressed with gratitude.

While the Commanders were driving down the field on the Cowboys in the third quarter, Weinstein mentioned to Herzog that Washington might score a touchdown.

A few plays later, Washington had the ball at the Dallas 9-yard line. Here was the call from Bram Weinstein: “Howell, play-action, Howell keeps. Runs back to the center of the field. At the 5, into the end zone! (pause).

When Howell crossed the goal line, Weinstein had laid out (paused), and looked to Herzog, who instantly finished the call with, “Touchdown, Washington Commanders!”

“Frank was right on cue with his famous call, ‘Touchdown Washington Commanders!‘ “said Weinstein. “For me, it is an incredibly cool moment. To have that moment with him is something I will never forget.”

When I spoke with Herzog two days later, Frank said it was such a moving moment for him as well. He was grateful to both Donaldson and Weinstein. Their thoughtfulness had given him a very special day, something he, too, will never forget.

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Frank Herzog happy Commanders reached out to him

Frank Herzog spoke to Commanders Wire about his weekend attending the Sonny Jurgensen jersey retirement and how he got his start.

Last weekend was one Frank Herzog will likely never forget.

Friday, January 6, he was talking with Kevin Sheehan on The Team 980’s “The Kevin Sheehan Show.”  When the topic became the Sonny Jurgensen jersey retirement, Sheehan inquired if Herzog was going to be in attendance at FedEx Field for the season finale against Dallas.

Herzog stated he was not and was going to watch it in the comfort of his home. Sheehan then asked if Herzog had been invited. Herzog calmly replied he had not and clearly did not push the issue any further.

Understandably, Sheehan was frustrated Herzog had not been invited, voiced it and the Commanders became the object of scorn and ridicule for the next couple of hours on social media.

Herzog departed for a short period of time and upon his return found a  message on his voicemail. It was Julie Donaldson of the Commanders. She was apologizing for the fact that Frank had not been officially invited. Herzog says she was clear she wanted him there to participate in the finale honoring Sonny Jurgensen. “I was caught completely by surprise,” expressed Herzog.

When they connected a few moments later, Donaldson explained to Herzog there had been earlier discussions of having Herzog come, but between the Jurgensen family requesting only family and a few close friends, the organization regrettably had not followed up on it to get him there.

The Commanders conveyed to Herzog they would fly him and get him to FedEx. They wanted him there. “Sure, I’d be happy to come, ” and they made the flight arrangements Friday for Frank.

It was great for Herzog to be wanted by the organization. He had certainly earned it, having been the play-by-play announcer for Redskins football games from the 1979-2004 seasons. He broadcast four Washington Super Bowls, and five NFC championship games and did all of them with a Redskins legend on both sides of him, linebacker Sam Huff and quarterback Sonny Jurgensen.

Sam Huff, Sonny Jurgensen and Frank Herzog
Photo courtesy of Julie Donaldson and the Washington Commanders.

But Herzog wasn’t always famous and in high demand in Washington, D.C. He had spent some time in the United States Air Force in the 1960s in tech school at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas. He got his first experience working in radio, on the weekends at KGKL spinning records.

Frank came to Washington DC, would enroll at American University, majoring in Political Science, and wanted to continue working in radio. He nagged the boss for a job, and the boss finally relented and offered a position as a WTOP copyboy making $2 an hour.

Frank took the job and worked up next to the production assistant position which involved taking news feeds from the network and editing them to put on the WTOP station broadcast.

“When the boss asked me why I wanted the WTOP job I replied, ‘Because my foot is in the door.'” It would prove to be the first of several large doors Frank would get his foot into over the next decade.

On Monday (part two) Frank Herzog from news reporter to sports play-by-play announcer

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Commanders Julie Donaldson: A lifetime of preparation and development

In part three of our interview with Commanders senior VP of media and content Julie Donaldson, she discusses hiring former players such as Logan Paulsen and London Fletcher.

Part three and the final segment of Commanders Wire interview with Julie Donaldson, the Commanders senior VP of media and content.

Part one.        Part two.

Julie Donaldson was driving home one night after doing a postgame show listening to the radio. Catching the middle of a discussion she heard this guy talking about the Washington game earlier that afternoon and she instantly realized he was quite informative.

“I was driving, and I was thinking, ‘I am learning things listening to this guy that I didn’t even learn in our one-hour post-game show.'”

Hearing it was Logan Paulsen she contacted him for interest in future shows.  Paulsen is a veteran of 120 NFL games and four teams including his longest stay which was with Washington from 2010-2014.

“He is so coachable. He takes his work in the studio work seriously. He went out and bought a suit, and I think Bram had to tie his tie for him the first time. He has cut his hair; he really gets into it. I enjoy watching him grow in the studio. He keeps hitting it out of the park.”

Donaldson has been in the business for two decades now. She knows intelligence and talent when she sees it. Regarding Paulsen, she openly offered, “I just hope he doesn’t leave us.”

In becoming the department head, Donaldson quickly learned the hard way she could attempt to micromanage and do all the shows and interviews herself, keeping control.

“I really want to use a lot of people; let them do what they do well. I don’t want this to be “The Julie Donaldson Show.” It’s definitely going to be a much different conversation when Santana Moss is talking with Terry McLaurin than myself.”

“It’s great when we permit our alumni Logan, Santana, Fred Smoot, London Fletcher to dialog with each other, and the conversations that come out of that NFL experience they share.”

Part of leadership is hiring. So when DeAngelo Hall decided after two years to pursue things outside of radio, Donaldson looked for Hall’s replacement.

“London had done the postgame show the first season 2020 and voiced he really missed the game, missed being at practice, being on the field game day.”

“During his audition, he was so coachable, and I could see his desire, his willingness to work. Hey, London is in our Ring of Fame. He is a great ambassador for the team and embraced by the fan base.”

“Taking on this job I have learned you really need the right people around you, making sure you hire people who share your vision, your work ethic.”

Donaldson readily acknowledges it is also the people never on camera who are vital to a department’s success and productivity.

“Executive producer Ryan Yocum knows how to deal with the operations, and make things happen. He has really helped in what we’ve accomplished and where we are going as a team.”

“I knew I needed someone to help me, set the vision, keep us focused and let me focus on what I need to do. Ryan has really provided structure and practices into place, helping us operate much more efficiently.”

For Julie, there was more than a decade in broadcasting and reporting previously.  She was studying the business of broadcasting at the University of Florida, she was competing in Miss Florida and Miss USA pageants, graduating with honors in high school, and her mother was an elementary school teacher.

“Mom taught us, ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way.’  She also taught us ‘God gives people different skill sets, so grow that, take advantage of that.”

Perhaps Julie Donaldson was prepared all along for such a time as this.

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Julie Donaldson: Leading an NFL Radio Broadcast Team

Part two of our interview with Commanders senior VP of content and media Julie Donaldson.

Part two of Commanders Wire interview with Julie Donaldson, the Commanders senior VP of media and content. Part one was published Tuesday morning.

Having hired DeAngelo Hall to be the analyst for the Washington broadcast team, who was Julie going to hire for the play-by-play announcer?

The franchise possesses a storied history of talented PBP announcers including Frank Herzog (1979-2004), Larry Michael (2005-2019), and Steve Gilmartin (1964-1973).

Donaldson was immediately flooded with hundreds of applicants. She explained it is such a rare opportunity, a very coveted, esteemed job. “It was very hard for me. I did not have much time to make these decisions and the preseason games were quickly going to be upon us.”

Donaldson admitted that with Covid and the time restraints upon her for such major decisions, immediately upon taking the job, there were nights she did not sleep well.

“The PBP announcer had to be open to working with me, the first female in a full-time radio booth for an NFL team. He had to want to work with me. Donaldson conveyed this not in a proud, pushy tone. Rather it was one of admission of the reality of the situation. She had been named head of the department. Would a good announcer be willing to take the job and right away?

Bram Weinstein had worked at ESPN and WTEM in Washington. A lifelong Redskins fan born and raised in the DMV, he earned his bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism at American University.

Yet, Weinstein had never called an NFL game previously, and the preseason would begin in one month! Weinstein, badly wanting the job, quickly watched games, practiced calling games and sent recordings to the organization.

There were other more experienced announcers wanting the job, but Julie knew Weinstein. She knew his passion for this football team. In her mind, he would be the right choice for this job, to broadcast for this team. She wanted him on her team.

The first 2020 regular season game, a home 27-17 win over the Eagles was a thrill and also intimidating, conveyed Donaldson. She discussed how for a decade she had reported on the team on camera and done many pregame and post-game shows, but this was her first live-game broadcast. And she was now the boss.

Donaldson understandably questioned herself, “Do I belong here?” She was also feeling the self-inflicted pressure of needing to do a good job, which can sometimes morph into wanting to do a perfect job. But of course, we all learn, that is not going to happen, and we need not put that unrealistic pressure on ourselves.

She expressed she had to remind herself of her extensive experience and trust that she could adapt to adding this new role for her in the booth. Donaldson and Weinstein were huge fans of the team and Hall was a former Washington player. “We all wanted them to do well. That first game was emotional for each of us.”

“Looking back, I was a little giddy as well. The quickest thing I had to learn after that first game was when it was not my turn to be talking, to shut up so listeners could hear Bram on the play-by-play. We needed to give Bram his time to call the play and wait our turn.”

“I heard the criticism, and that is okay. To ensure we are going to be a better product, I am always in favor of constructive criticism, and I hope I always am (in the future).”

To be continued: Growing the department, growing as a person

 

 

 

How Julie Donaldson became Commanders senior VP of media and content

Part one of our conversation with Commanders senior VP of media and content.

In July 2020, Julie Donaldson was at the gym working out, having to wear a mask because of the COVID restrictions.

She noticed her phone ringing and then ringing again, and it was her general manager at NBC Sports Washington. He explained the Washington Redskins had contacted him because Julie was still under contract. The football organization wanted to hire Julie and make her the first female regular on-air voice of the NFL Washington’s team radio broadcast.

Knowing what she had experienced and learned regarding the reputation of the organization her initial reaction was to not want to take the job. However, her general manager explained that this was quite a unique opportunity for Donaldson. These chances don’t come around frequently, as there are only so many teams. Donaldson conveyed to Commanders Wire he told her, “I think you should be open to it.”

Terry Bateman was the one officially reaching out, offering Julie the job. Following several conversations with those in and out of the organization, including both Dan and Tanya Snyder, Julie Donaldson accepted the challenge, becoming Washington’s new senior vice president of media and content.

The timing was crazy for Donaldson. The franchise was announcing the discarding of the team name “Redskins” since 1933 when the Boston Braves became the Boston Redskins. Training camp was beginning soon and the preseason was in just a few weeks.

Donaldson talked of how it was like she was thrown into the deep end right away, experiencing a baptism by fire. It was quite the rush getting things revamped as the Washington Football Team and in time for the regular season to begin.

She recalled how they suddenly needed new graphics, look, feel, “we definitely hustled to get things up in time for the season. Even more, “right away I had to get a team together and figure out whom I wanted with me.”

Chris Cooley had already previously shared with Julie that he would not be returning to the broadcast booth for the 2020 season, that decision having been made months earlier.

She quickly received hundreds of messages of congratulations and notes from many throwing their hat in the ring for the game-day broadcast analyst and play-by-play announcer positions.

One early contact was DeAngelo Hall. Julie had worked with Hall in previous years doing both pregame and postgame shows. Hall’s first TV shows had earlier actually been with Julie and seeing she already had a working relationship with Hall, and with Santana Moss as well, she felt these two former Washington players were good choices for her.

To be continued: Selecting a play-by-play announcer, other key members of her department, and growing in her role.

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When the Washington Commanders were on the clock in 1st Round…

Logan Paulsen and London Fletcher provided live commentary during Washington’s first-round pick Thursday. It was outstanding.

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In case you were not watching the local coverage hosted by Julie Donaldson, Washington commentators had much to say during the Commanders live broadcast coverage Thursday night of the first round.

When time for the No. 11 pick came,

Bram Weinstein, “I think they trade back.”

London Fletcher: “They went into this draft thinking, ‘add a playmaker to the wide receiver position.’ Once both those guys were gone (Drake London, Garrett Wilson) maybe they still add Chris Olave or Jameson Williams.”

When announced Washington had traded back to No. 16:

Weinstein then asked Fletcher what Washington would try to obtain trading back, “Obviously they get a defensive tackle. They have to replace Matt Ioannidis and Tim Settle. That will be a position of need. Maybe add a running back, a bigger back… a safety and a quarterback.”

When it was announced the Commanders received picks No 16, 98 and 120

Logan Paulsen responded, “I am ecstatic! This is fantastic for the team. It puts them in a position to get a receiver they like. Chris Olave is probably their number one receiver at this point in the draft. He will be there at No 16 most likely. This trade allows you to address the meat and potatoes of this draft, the 3rd and 4th rounds… with both London and Wilson gone, let’s move back, put ourselves in the best position as an organization to get the best receiver in our view that is going to be available at 16.”

On the clock at No. 16,

Fletcher: “I think they still go with a wide receiver maybe a Dotson out of Penn State or the Burks kid out of Arkansas. Though they traded back, I still think they will take a wide receiver.”

Paulsen: “I love the way Dotson catches the football outside of his frame. He is fearless, not afraid to go over the middle, blocks faced a lot of man-to-man coverage, so you know he can beat that kind of coverage. Love that skill set, he is a complete receiver to me. If they could trade back again I think those guys I mentioned (Dotson, Trevor Penning, Devin Lloyd, Trent McDuffie) will be there for them from say 19 to the end of the round.”

When the Dotson pick was announced,

Fletcher: “I love the pick. I watched Dotson destroy defensive backs in the Big 10 this year. By trading back, they still get a guy that is very productive. I like this pick.”

Paulsen: Yes, he has tremendous ability, his hands are well documented. The thing I love most about him is the physical courage with which he plays the position. He is going to run after the catch, he is going to block. He is going to do the nasty stuff. You can tell football is very important to him. And that is why he bumped up in my evaluation process.”

 

 

 

DeAngelo Hall stepping away from Commanders radio broadcast team

DeAngelo Hall will step away from Washington’s radio team. Former Washington linebacker London Fletcher will replace him.

DeAngelo Hall enjoyed a 14-year NFL career, and 9 1/2 of those seasons came with the Washington Redskins — now Commanders. Shortly after Hall’s terrific playing career ended, he entertained going into coaching but found multiple media opportunities.

Hall worked with NBC Sports Washington, offering analysis on his former team and Fox Sports 1. Hall would join the NFL Network in 2019 as a regular on both “NFL Total Access” and “Good Morning Football.”

In 2020, Hall proved you could come home again, joining Washington’s brand new radio broadcast of play-by-play announcer Bram Weinstein and analyst Julie Donaldson — the Commanders’ senior vice president of media and content.

Now, after two seasons on Washington’s radio team, Hall is stepping aside, according to 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C. Another former Washington star, linebacker London Fletcher, will replace Hall.

Hall, a native of Chesapeake, Virginia, played college football at Virginia Tech before being drafted No. 8 overall in 2004 by the Atlanta Falcons.

Fletcher, like Hall, had a decorated career in Washington. The 16-year NFL veteran spent the final seven seasons of his career with the Commanders. Fletcher was inducted into the franchise’s Ring of Fame in 2019.

Fletcher played in 256 consecutive games, starting 215 straight games — an NFL record for a linebacker.

Carson Wentz hopes to bring stability to Washington quarterback position

Carson Wentz spoke to Julie Donaldson in his first interview as a Washington Commander.

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Carson Wentz is excited to be making the transition from the Colts to the Commanders.

Wentz appeared with Julie Donaldson, Washington’s Senior VP of Media and Content in his first public interview as a member of the Washington Commanders.

“It all happens fast, this business, this life…You don’t have a lot of time to process it. It is on to the next step. Things change in a hurry.”

“Things change quickly in this business. You learn that, and you embrace it…I am full speed ahead, ready to go, ready to work. My wife is awesome too; she is a champion.”

On now playing for a team once your divisional rival: “I’ll be just fine. For fans, it might be a little weird right away but I look forward to hopefully earning that trust and earning that appreciation from fans.”

“There are definitely some rivals in the NFC East, I still have some friends in Philly, so it will be fun to compete against them. The NFC East feels right. I’ve had a lot of fun competing in this division.”

Regarding the reaction from Philly when he returns: “I am very aware (laughing) and I will be ready for it. It has already crossed my mind and I will try to not let it be about that, and just keep it between the lines and play good football.”

Julie pointed out to Carson he is the 11th QB since the 2018 season and 7th QB for Ron Rivera in his 33 games with Washington. “Nothing is guaranteed in this game. I am going to do everything I can to set myself up to be healthy, to stay out on the field, to be available. I look forward to hopefully bringing some stability to this position God-willing for a long time.”

Concerning what he has learned about life these last three seasons: “I’ve learned it is God’s plan and not my own. As a man and as an athlete you think you can control everything. There are some things out of your control. You make the most of them and God changes your course, puts you on a path. I just try to be obedient to that and make the most of it.”

“Coach Rivera is someone I have had the utmost respect for in competing against him. Who he is as a man and as a coach I am excited to work together in that regard.”

Wentz started the AO1 Foundation and he has a sports complex in Haiti, a food truck in Philadelphia and Indianapolis, and an outdoor ministry that takes kids on trips and hunts. Carson and his wife (Madison) have two daughters and three dogs.

Washington goes silent day before name reveal?

Washington will announce its new team name Wednesday. The team never officially announced the time for its big reveal.

What time will the Washington Football Team make the huge announcement  Wednesday morning on NBC’s Today Show?

One would think the Washington Football Team would have posted on their website today — the day before they reveal the new team name — but no such post at all today in checking their website.

One would also think the Washington Football Team would have tweeted today regarding the announcement tomorrow. But as of 9:00 p.m., not a single tweet today regarding the franchise tomorrow announcing the team’s fourth name in their long history.

1.3 million Twitter followers and you don’t tweet anything about your announcement tomorrow?

Whoever is leading the communication efforts, did not see that it might be a good idea to remind your 1.3 million followers to turn their TV to the NBC channel in their television market?

Are the folks in communication at the Washington Football Team aware that the Today Show airs from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.? As of now,  still no tweet whatsoever regarding the announcement or the uniform unveiling. Do they expect fans to be sitting there for four hours tomorrow? How about some direction, please?

Did they not see it might be helpful to inform Washington fans they can go to Today.com if they can’t get to a television? Or might Washington fans like to be informed by the team that there is also a Today app?

A tip of the hat to Ben Standig who informed his Twitter followers that it might be during the 8:00 a.m. hour.

I am actually surprised… can’t believe that the Washington Football Team has been silent on “Announcement Eve.” But then again, we are talking about the ownership by the Snyders and the presidency of Jason Wright.

It appears the new name was already revealed — and not by Washington, at least not on purpose, we think.

Should I be surprised? Should any of us be surprised?