Seattle Sounders FC today announced that forward Jordan Morris has been selected to lead the 69th Annual Seafair Torchlight Parade on Saturday, July 28.
Morris is being honored as Grand Marshal in part to recognize his dedicated work in the community. Born and raised on Mercer Island, Morris, who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes as a child, started the Jordan Morris Foundation in 2017 to educate, inspire and support other young people dealing with the disease. Though he is currently recovering from a season-ending injury sustained earlier this year, Morris has continued to facilitate his T1D Playmakers program at every Sounders FC home match, meeting with a child and his or her family who are dealing with Type 1 Diabetes and providing a special matchday experience. Additionally, Morris supports Special Olympics Washington and is serving as an official ambassador for the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games.
“Having grown up in this area, Seafair is a special part of every summer,” said Morris. “It’s an incredible honor to be selected as a Grand Marshal. This year has been challenging for me in a lot of ways, but as I work to recover and get back on the field, I’m also trying to continue giving back as much as I can. Helping represent Seafair and its theme of inclusion this year is something I’m proud to be a part of.”
Morris joins the ranks of Seafair Grand Marshals such as Bob Hope, Jane Fonda, Apolo Ohno, Dave Niehaus, Duff McKagan, Edgar Martinez, Gary Payton and Sounders FC teammate Clint Dempsey, who led the parade in 2014 alongside former Sounder DeAndre Yedlin.
“Jordan’s connection is extra special for us, as he is not only a homegrown sports hero, but, even better, a genuinely great servant leader,” said Seafair President & CEO Richard Andersen. “His work with his foundation and so many other worthy causes are perfectly in line with Seafair’s 2018 theme of ‘Inclusive.’”
The 2018 Torchlight Parade features more than 100 parade entries from clowns and pirates to drill teams and equestrian units. In its 69th year, the parade continues to highlight and celebrate communities from greater Seattle’s diverse cultural landscape including Children’s Friendship Festival, Indigenouz PlaceMakerz, Sikhs of Washington and many more. The parade begins at Seattle Center and continues down Fourth Avenue to South Washington Street. Reserved seating for the parade is available starting at $35. For tickets, visit http://www.seafair.com.
