Titus O’Neil Named Krewe Of Tampa Sant’ Yago Knight Parade Grand Marshal
Photo Credit: Getty Images
As WrestleMania in Tampa draws near, it has just been announced that Titus O’Neil will act as Grand Marshal of the Krewe Of Sant’ Yago Knight Parade in Tampa on Saturday, February 8, 2019.
The following was passed along to WrestleZone:
WWE superstar Titus O’Neil named Krewe of Sant’ Yago Knight Parade Grand Marshal
Fan-favorite Jerry Springer returns to the Feb. 8 parade as a special guest
TAMPA, Fla. – The 2020 Krewe of Sant’ Yago Knight Parade, presented by MOR-TV and co-sponsored by the City of Tampa, will feature WWE star and local philanthropist Titus O’Neil as Grand Marshal. The illuminated parade takes place on Saturday, Feb. 8 in historic Ybor City.
“Titus O’Neil’s athletic success has paved the way for his generous philanthropy, and he has tremendous enthusiasm for empowering and encouraging local youth – the next generation of Tampa leaders,” said Jimmy Piloto, Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago member and 2020 parade chairman. “Serving as Grand Marshal is the perfect way to celebrate his work in building a stronger community.”
WWE superstar Titus O’Neil, aka Thaddeus Bullard, is an accomplished professional athlete and entertainer, as well as a dedicated philanthropist in the community. Through his efforts, and the Bullard Family Foundation, which provides families and children everywhere with moments, programs, and resources to help build character, strengthen communities, and develop relationships that result in transformational changes for those in need, he has helped raise millions for local and national charities. He has also secured scholarships for student-athletes and mentor at-risk youth, with a particular focus on Hillsborough County Public Schools and most recently targeted families and students in the Sligh Middle Magnet School and East Tampa area. O’Neil will be one of the stars featured in WWE WrestleMania 36 taking place in Tampa in April 2020.
In addition, WMOR-TV personality, cultural and civic icon, and fan-favorite Jerry Springer returns as a special guest at the 2020 Knight Parade.
“We love having Jerry Springer be a part of the Knight Parade. Much like WMOR-TV and the Krewe members, he has a strong commitment to giving back to the community,” said Pam Barber, President and General Manager of MOR-TV. “MOR-TV is excited to once again partner with the Knights of Sant’ Yago for this fun, family-friendly event in Ybor City.”
Springer’s notoriety is due in large part to hosting his eponymous show for over 27 seasons. The chant, “Jerry, Jerry, Jerry,” is permanently embedded in pop culture, and it can be heard along the parade route when he is a special guest.
Springer moved from stage to bench with the launch of “Judge Jerry” in 2019. The syndicated, small-claims court show takes on actual cases from real people in a half-hour. In each episode, Judge Springer hears cases and renders a verdict with a fair yet firm hand and always leaves litigants with a dose of classic Springer wisdom.
The 2020 Knight Parade begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8 as illuminated floats roll down Seventh Avenue in historic Ybor City. The floats are accompanied by dozens of marching bands, local dignitaries and thousands of participants as they throw scores of beads to an expected 100,000 spectators.
Proceeds from the Knight Parade benefit the Krewe’s Education Foundation, which has provided nearly $3 million in higher education scholarships since it was established in 1994. Each year, the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago Education Foundation awards scholarships to deserving students at local colleges and universities, including USF.
For more information on the 2020 Knight Parade, visit www.KreweSantYago.org.
ABOUT THE KREWE OF THE KNIGHTS OF SANT’ YAGO:
Since the early 1970s, The Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago has organized and hosted the Knight Parade, an annual celebration of Tampa civic pride. Each year, the Knight Parade, as well as other fundraising events, helps raise funds for the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago Education Foundation, which has provided nearly $3 million in scholarships for local students. Visit www.KreweSantYago.org for more information.
ABOUT MOR-TV:
MOR-TV is a Hearst Television owned and operated television station in Tampa Bay and is one of America’s top Independent. MOR-TV features the best in off-network comedies, talk, dramas and more, featuring The Big Bang Theory, The Goldbergs, Mom, Last Man Standing, Modern Family, Family Guy, Chicago PD, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Tamron Hall and more. MOR-TV is also one of three stations in a group that includes MeTV Tampa Bay’s new classic television channel featuring the best of the best of television programs, and estrellaTV Tampa Bay, the fastest-growing Hispanic entertainment channel in America. MOR-TV’s website is www.mor-tv.com.