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NFLPA Holiday Card Artist Honored

{ Local student’s artwork is showcased on the cover of the 2009 NFLPA holiday card. }

Author: Glendalyn Junio Posted: 12/17/2009

By Glendalyn Junio
NFLPLAYERS.COM

A meeting with NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith was just the first of many special prizes
awarded to Christopher Buchanan, winner of the inaugural NFLPA Holiday Art Contest. His piece, titled “Plowing
through the Snow,” was selected to grace the cover of the 2009 NFLPA holiday card from a number of entries
submitted by local high school students in October.

“The idea came to me pretty easily and I just did it,” Buchanan said while touring NFLPA headquarters at 63 Upshaw
Place on Wednesday. “I was excited when my computer graphics teacher told me I had won.”

The NFLPA teamed up with the National Education Association to host its first Holiday Card Art Contest, which
showcased the creativity and artwork of 11th and 12th-grade students from Charles Herbert Flowers High School in
Prince George’s County, Md. Buchanan’s creation, which featured “team football versus snowmen,” made quite an
impression on the judges who selected the cover art.

“The other submissions were good but it was an easy decision; his work was just on another level,” NFLPA Director of
Membership Services AnneMarie Makle said. “Christopher’s artwork was well done and represented diversity the
best. He met all the criteria that we set and his attention to detail was truly impressive.”

For the contest, students were asked to follow several guidelines to assure an even playing field. Each submission
was required to incorporate a football theme, but could not be NFL team- or player-specific. In addition, the artwork
could not contain any text and had to be non-denominational with respect to religious images. Entries were judged on
the basis of originality and uniqueness.

While visiting the union, Buchanan was humbled by the praise he received from the NFLPA staff, many of whom
congratulated him as he explored the Washington, D.C., office. He was joined by his mother Jennifer and younger
brother Aeron.

“It was a pretty nice tour around the building,” Buchanan said. “I got to meet a lot of people and got a lot of
compliments on the card.”

Along with his artwork’s display on the cover of the NFLPA’s holiday card as well as on NFLPLAYERS.com and
NEA.org, Buchanan was also presented with two tickets to watch the Washington Redskins take on the New Orleans
Saints earlier in the month, where he and his father joined Smith in the NFLPA suite at FedExField.

“Not every child gets an opportunity to have a positive ‘defining’ moment in their lives, something they can be proud of
and build on for the future,” said Duane Buchanan, Christopher’s father, after the game. “That's exactly what [the
NFLPA] staff gave to my son. I am very grateful to you guys.”

An avid Redskins fan, Christopher hopes to one day pursue a career in art. But
while drawing has always been an important part of his life, the 11th grader also reflected on the time he spent on the
football field.

“I played Pop Warner football [and] used to play middle linebacker, offensive lineman and defensive lineman,”

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Buchanan said. “When I was playing Pop Warner I wasn’t in high school yet, so I stopped since I wanted to
experience high school life a bit more.”

Following his tour of the union headquarters, Buchanan was presented with a football autographed by Redskins tight
end Chris Cooley, as well as a goody bag filled with other NFLPA gifts.

“It’s between Chris Cooley and Santana Moss,” Buchanan revealed when asked who his favorite player was. “They
are both good players and technically they are both receivers. I’ve always liked wide receivers.”

But one of the more unexpected rewards Buchanan received during his visit was an impromptu TV appearance with
Smith, who surprised him with an invitation to join him in a scheduled interview with the local Comcast SportsNet
affiliate. During the segment, Buchanan showcased his artwork on the holiday card.

“I pray that my son realizes and takes full advantage of his artistic talent and your recognition of that talent,” his father
added. “I know his mom and I will continue to use it as positive reinforcement as he pursues future endeavors and
higher education.”

http://www.nflplayers.com/Articles/Public-News/NFLPA-Holiday-Card-Artist-Honored/ 6/11/2010