By Brett Grassmuck
Staff Writer

The Rams annual Bowl-a-RAM-a event is right up Will Witherspoon’s alley.

The linebacker wheeled a three-bowling ball carrier filled with his own personal equipment into Tropicana Lanes Tuesday night as he co-hosted the annual bowling event to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation of the St. Louis region with wide receiver Drew Bennett. 

“It’s just something I do for fun every now and then,” Witherspoon said. “I figure if you’re going to have a hobby, you may as well go all out with it, invest in it, get your own stuff, do what you do and have a good time.”

Bennett, on the other hand, did not have bowling equipment, but he does have a personal connection to Epilepsy, and that’s what made the wide receiver want to become involved.

“Heather, my girlfriend of four years, her sister has epilepsy, and my younger brother has some friends that have epilepsy in his program back in California,” Bennett said. “It’s definitely something I’ve dealt with and something I’m associated with and something I’d like to help out with.”

Tuesday night’s 12th annual Bowl-a-RAM-a event helped draw in more than $20,000 for the Epilepsy Foundation, which is funding that will help prevent, control and cure Epilepsy.

The event, emceed by Fox 2's Martin Kilcoyne and Rams Radio 103.3's Smash, kicked off with an offense vs. defense showdown between the Rams players.

The five-man offensive squad was headed by Bennett and included tight end Randy McMichael, wide receiver Dane Looker and offensive linemen Brett Romberg and Stephen Sene.

The defensive squad, headed up by Witherspoon, included linebackers Chris Chamberlain and David Vobora, defensive tackle Clifton Ryan and cornerback Jonathan Wade.

It was a close contest, but the defense pulled away near the end and finished with a 653-635 victory over the offense, their second win in the last three years.

Witherspoon and Wade were the leaders for the defense, both bowling over 140.

“It took me a minute to find my spot, but once I did, I really started rolling out,” Witherspoon said. “I’m 2-0 in appearances here, so hopefully I can maintain that trend.”

Sene was the top bowler overall, putting up a 149, but it wasn’t enough for the offense to grab their second victory in a row. Bennett enjoyed the competition, but questioned the validity of the defense’s victory.

“I think it was rigged,” Bennett said laughing. “I don’t think it’s fair that they brought their own balls, but no comment on that. But it was fun for the competitive edge and to play your teammates in something else.”

When the competition was over, the real spirit of the evening began as over 40 Rams players dispersed amongst the bowling alley and began bowling for fun with more than 300 events attendees.

The high-fives were flying on Bennett’s lane as he celebrated good rolls with his bowling partners. 

“I love it,” Bennett said. “It’s great. It’s a lot different than any other charity event that I’ve been to as far as golf outings and dinners and stuff like that. I think it’s great, and it’s for a good cause.”

Like the middle linebacker he is, Witherspoon was seen roaming Tropicana Lanes, throwing balls at just about every lane in the building.

“I don’t have any personal family members that are affected by epilepsy, but I do have friends that have family members that are epileptic,” Witherspoon said. “So coming in and supporting a foundation that does so much and has a good time like this, you can’t ask for anything better.”

Attendees were free to get autographs from the many Rams players in attendance as well as stop by and bid on a number of Rams, NFL and St. Louis items in the silent auction. There was also a live auction of autographed Bennett and Witherspoon jerseys as well as an autographed Alan Faneca New York Jets jersey.

“We’re very blessed and very fortunate to be doing what we’re doing,” Bennett said. “So these kinds of things help you appreciate what you’ve got and help you give back to the community.”