Super Bowl Champ Cliff Avril Joins DC Pickleball Team Ownership Group

One of Major League Pickleball's expansion teams, the D.C. Picklebal Team (DCPT), announces a new addition to its ownership group: former NFL Pro Bowler and Super Bowl Champion Cliff Avril.

Avril joins a high-profile group of investors with DCPT that includes Al Tylis, Sam Porter, Eva Longoria, Justin Verlander, Kate Upton, Rip Hamilton, Shawn Marion, Odell Beckham Jr. and Mesut Ozil.

Avril played for the Detroit Lions (2008-2012) and Seattle Seahawks (2013-2017) during his ten year career. He was drafted by the Lions in the 2008 NFL Draft after playing collegiately at Purdue University.

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“Cliff’s passion for playing and growing the sport of pickleball aligns perfectly with the ethos of our team,” said Adam Behnke, Chief Operating Officer of D.C. Pickleball Team.

“We’re looking forward to working together to continue to bring positivity to our community through pickleball.”

Avril recently started playing pickleball and quickly fell in love with the sport "for all the reasons pickleball is adored by so many – the community, the camaraderie, the competition, the fitness, and the pure fun and joy it brings to all who play," according to a team press release.

“Since I stepped foot on the pickleball court I knew there was something special about it,” said Avril.

“I was immediately curious about how I could get involved and was thrilled to learn of the opportunity to join D.C. Pickleball Team’s ownership group. I love nothing more than making a positive impact through sport and I appreciate that our group shares that passion.”