Huge names coming

Paul Salata, the founder of Irrelevant Week, hesitated a bit before naming the biggest celebrity coming to Wednesday’s All-Star Lowsman Banquet.

As he thought, his daughter, Melanie Salata-Fitch said, “Oh, here it comes.”

Salata, acted cool, as he said, “Clay Matthews Sr.”

Matthews’ son, Clay Jr., the former ironman linebacker of the Cleveland Browns, has also been confirmed for attendance to roast and toast Mr. Irrelevant Cheta Ozougwu of the Houston Texans.

It will be a family affair at the banquet at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa. Clay Jr.’s son, Casey Matthews, the Oregon product who is now with the Philadelphia Eagles, is also coming to the party. Clay Matthews III of the Green Bay Packers is not on the guest list.

The Matthews trio doesn’t have much of a connection to Ozougwu, but the grandfather is connected to Salata.

Salata and the oldest Matthews were roommates when they played for the 49ers in 1949 and 1950.

“I taught him everything he knew about producing linebackers for kids,” Salata joked.

There are sure to be more jokes on the way with Stan Morrison also confirmed for the event. The UC Riverside athletic director usually offers a bilingual roast, delivering jokes in Spanish and English.

Also slated to sit at the head table are: Mike Haynes (Pro Football Hall of Famer), Ron Yary (Hall of Famer), Ron Mix (Hall of Famer), Dave Levy (former USC coach), Christian Okoye (former K.C. Chiefs running back), John Robinson (former USC and Rams coach), Matt Willig (former USC and pro player), Tom Kelly (sports announcer) and John Ireland (TV announcer).

Sammy Lee, an Olympic gold diver and a close friend of Salata’s, is also expected to be in attendance.

They will all be on hand to see Ozougwu be presented the Lowsman trophy, the award that has a figurine of a football player fumbling the ball.

Salata is pleased with this year’s roster and will be happy to see an old friend. The Newport Beach resident said he also enjoys the charity aspect of the event, and Irrelevant Week. This year, money is being raised for Goodwill of Orange County Fitness Center, which assists Cory Hahn and others with spinal cord injuries. Hahn, a former Mater Dei High standout, was injured while playing baseball for Arizona State in February.

Irrelevant Week begins with the Arrival Party Monday at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort. The fun begins at 5:30 p.m., as Ozougwu will receive several gifts. The defensive end will visit Disneyland on Tuesday and be the featured guest at a regatta and BBQ Thursday at the Balboa Yacht Club.

Tickets for Wednesday’s dinner start at $125.

For more information go to https://www.irrelevantweek.com.