• Slug: Sports–Biofreeze Pickleball Championships, 900 words.
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By Sebastian Mondaca Sepulveda
Cronkite News

MESA – Jake Plummer never imagined that a paddle and a plastic ball could rekindle his competitive spirit after he retired from the NFL. Yet, there he was on the court, two hours before his match, sharing laughs and volley with Shane Doan, another Valley sports legend.

For Plummer, it wasn’t just about the game — it was about staying active, connecting with others, and championing a sport that is winning over players of all ages and abilities.

“Pickleball, for me, is fun and joyful,” said Plummer, the former NFL and Arizona State quarterback who partnered with Doan in the Dinks for a Difference Celebrity Match that highlighted last week’s Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships.

“I thoroughly enjoyed coming out here and playing this game to keep me active. I got to understand six years ago where I was physically, and it gave me the opportunity to get me out of my seat and start moving around.

“Pickleball is more appealing to more than one demographic, it’s a wide (ranging) game that many people can play. I love the fact that I can go around and play a game with anyone.”

The 2024 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships came to a conclusion Sunday night, with many players achieving their goals of winning a medal in their competitions.

The premier tournament, which took over the Arizona Athletic Grounds for eight jam-packed days this month, featured more than 2,600 athletes from all over the country. It was also the first year the event held a wheelchair tournament division for those interested in participating.

Makayla Perkins, Social Media and Communications Manager for USA Pickleball, highlighted the importance of the event, signifying the sport’s mission to stay accessible even as its popularity explodes.

“Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America,” Perkins said. “It’s great to see this sport gain its wings and watch it fly. We had over 2,600 athletes out here at the National Championships, and we even had a woman who was 94 years old competing. This sport is meant for everyone, and that’s what makes it special.”

That includes a slew of actors, singers and other well-known entertainers who have embraced pickleball.

“It was so great to see so many celebrities come out and show support for USA Pickleball,” Perkins said. “We wanted to establish certainty of who we wanted to come out with and we noticed that many of these celebrities here have already played pickleball, which speaks to the growth of the sport.”

The tournament was highlighted by the inaugural Dinks for a Difference Celebrity Match, which was hosted by pop star Joey Fatone and reality TV’s Mayci Neeley. The Celebrity Match featured eight players, including former NFL stars Eric Decker and Plummer, along with Doan, the former Coyotes All-Star, six-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Amy Van Dyken and actor/NASCAR driver Frankie Muniz.

The event partnered with USA Pickleball Serves, which focuses on improving courts enhancement, youth education programs and the promotion of inclusive play, through the lens of pickleball.

While some stars like Plummer have started to play pickleball professionally, others were relatively new to the sport.

Muniz, known for playing the title role in the TV show “Malcolm in the Middle,” is now a NASCAR driver and is eager to try new things if given the opportunity. Pickleball has opened up a whole new world for him.

“It was so much fun,” Muniz said, after competing in the Dinks for a Difference Celebrity Match. “The fact that we can come out for a good cause. Raise awareness, raise money, I had a blast. I just started playing pickleball yesterday and it’s a new love of mine.

“It’s the world’s fastest-growing sport and I can see why. It doesn’t matter what level you’re at, you can have fun doing it.”

As many of the celebrities noted, pickleball is spreading at prodigious rates. A total of 78,766 members registered for tournaments in 2024, according to USA Pickleball’s annual growth report, marking an increase of 15% from last year, which saw 66,952 members play.
The mission of the 2024 Biofreeze event was to teach more people about the sport, and try to connect interested players.

Doan, who played 21 seasons with the Coyotes, started getting involved with pickleball after retiring from hockey in 2017, but never approached it seriously. Heading into this tournament, he found himself playing alongside Plummer in the Dinks for Difference Celebrity Match and has decided to see where pickleball takes him during retirement.

“I heard about it all the time,” Doan said. “It’s constantly around you. I’m definitely not the greatest out here, but I’m always ready to put on a show. It’s a great sport to keep me active during my retirement. The event was spectacular and I’m able to meet new people and play something like this.”

The 2024 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships demonstrated the sport’s rapid development, inclusivity and ability to unite people from all walks of life. From seasoned competitors to first-time players, the event showed the fun and community spirit that pickleball promotes, while also benefiting worthwhile causes through its charity programs.

“I’m still learning the gist of this game, and I enjoy that,” Doan said. “I think that’s the best part of getting older. I’m learning more about Pickleball as I go and I think everyone is addicted to learning.”

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