Kick off Luncheon
2026 Kick Off Luncheon | Thursday, August 6 | Waco Convention Center | 11:30 a.m.
For over 30 years, the Greater Waco Chamber has hosted luncheons to excite the community for upcoming sports seasons. Held annually in August, the Kick Off Sports Luncheon celebrates the start of football season.
About the Kick Off Luncheon
Each year during the luncheon, attendees hear a preview from Baylor University coaches, a look at the upcoming high school football season and a special guest speaker.
Prior speakers have included Ed "Too Tall" Jones (former Dallas Cowboy defensive end), Dat Nguyen, (former Dallas Cowboy linebacker and member of the Texas A&M Wrecking Crew), Gary Baxter (former American football cornerback and Baylor football player), Charles Davis (an American football analyst on Foxsports.com and former player), Bill Hancock (first executive director of the BCS), Bobby Bowden, Charlie Ward, Trey Wingo (ESPN), Brad Sham (voice of the Dallas Cowboys), R. C. Slocum (former Texas A&M Head Coach), Gene Stallings (former A&M and Alabama Coach) and Grant Teaff (former Baylor University Coach).
Speaker
Randy White, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl MVP
We are proud to announce our 2026 Kick-Off Luncheon speaker, Randy White! 
A dominant force in football, Randy White was a 6-foot-4, 257-pound All-American defensive end at the University of Maryland in 1974 before being selected by the Dallas Cowboys as their first pick and the second overall selection in the 1975 NFL Draft.
Although he spent his first two seasons at middle linebacker, White truly emerged as a superstar in his third season after transitioning to his permanent role at right defensive tackle. From that point forward, he became a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ defensive line, anchoring the unit throughout an exceptional 14-season, 209-game NFL career.
White made an immediate impact as a starter, earning co-Most Valuable Player honors in the Cowboys’ 27–10 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII. That season marked the beginning of an extraordinary run, nine consecutive All-Pro selections and nine straight Pro Bowl appearances through 1985. In 1978, he was named NFC Defensive Player of the Year.
What set White apart was not just his ability to make big plays, but his relentless consistency and unmatched work ethic. Teammates often struggled to keep pace with his intensity in practice.
Blessed with elite quickness, balance, toughness, intelligence, and durability, White missed just one game in his entire career. At the time of his Hall of Fame induction in 1994, his 209 games played ranked second in Cowboys history. Over his career, he appeared in three Super Bowls and six NFC Championship games, recording four sacks in Super Bowl play, including two in Super Bowl X against Pittsburgh.
In regular season action, White compiled 1,104 tackles, including 701 solo tackles, and 111 sacks, cementing his legacy as one of the most consistent and dominant defensive players in NFL history.
We are honored to welcome Randy White as our featured speaker for this always special event, kicking off the start of football season!
About the Dave Campbell Award
The Dave Campbell Award is presented annually at the Kick Off Luncheon to recognize someone who has made a significant impact on football in McLennan County.
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