George Lilja, 65, of Warren, was named to the University of Michigan’s Offensive Line of the Century as a co-captain from 1977-80. Photo submitted to the Times Observer

Warren’s George Lilja knows just what he’ll say to the football players attending a banquet on Aug. 3 — two days before the 50th anniversary of the Big 30 All-Star Charities Classic game between Pennsylvania and New York at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, at Parkway Field in Bradford.

“Don’t take this for granted; not everybody can go out and do what you do,” said Lilja, who was asked to be keynote speaker at the Big 30 banquet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3, at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

Lilja, now retired from Warren General Hospital after 12 years as its director of marketing and business development, played for eight seasons in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys. He was the starting left guard for the Browns in 1985 when two running backs — Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner — each rushed for over 1,000 yards. From Carl Sandburg Park High School in Orland Park, Illinois, Lilja played for legendary coach Bo Schembechler at the University of Michigan. He was an All-American offensive lineman and co-captain of the 1981 Rose Bowl champion Wolverines.

“I appreciate and I don’t take for granted that God gave me the opportunity to play football (at the highest level) and to pass that on,” said Lilja, 65. He can relate to the type of football players that play in the Big 30 game — graduated seniors who may be continuing their football careers in college or may be playing in the final game of their life. Either way, the sport is teaching them to be successful.

“To be successful, you have to plan, you have to have passion and drive, and sometimes you have to do it alone,” Lilja said.

In team sports, much like in life, teammates might have completely different responsibilities, but the same goal.

“I think what I love about team sports, ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,'” he said. “Absolutely, football builds you and shapes you into who you are. And the friendships I’ve made have created connections that have lasted my entire life.”

From a game; a sport that will be a part of you for the rest of your life, he said, as a family man, businessman and community member.

In addition to the keynote speaker at the banquet, other speakers — including coaches and players from each state — will discuss the game, scholarships will be awarded, and coaches, players, cheerleaders, queens, advisors, etc. will be recognized.