Washington players help celebrate America 250

Middletown, Virginia, was scheduled to have three Washington NFL players help celebrate America.

>Middletown, just south of Winchester and Stephens City, is a small town with a community spirit that enjoys celebrating our privilege to live in this country, the United States of America. The city of Middletown was celebrating our nation's 250th anniversary, and two very familiar Washington football names were scheduled to join the celebration.

>Dexter Manley, the fierce pass rusher for the Washington Redskins from 1981-89, was so intense, so quick off the snap of the ball. During his nine seasons in Washington, Manley accumulated 97 quarterback sacks. During his peak NFL seasons, Manley posted four-year runs of 11.0, 13.5, 15.0, and 18.5 quarterback sacks from 1983-1986. He was drafted in 1981 by GM Bobby Beathard in the 5th round, No. 119 overall, out of Oklahoma State University, and is a member of the Commanders Ring of Fame.

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Jacory Croskey-Merritt behind pullers. Untouched for a TD.

Nice drive for the rookie: 3 rushes for 23 yards on that drive.pic.twitter.com/Ve408mgC2P

— Grant Paulsen (@GrantPaulsen) September 7, 2025Manley wasn't the only Washington legend in Middletown. Former Redskins kicker Mark Moseley, who enjoyed a 17-year NFL career, including 13 with Washington, was also a part of the festivities. Moseley remains the only kicker in NFL history to win an MVP award.

>Joining Manley and Moseley was current Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Nicknamed 'Bill,' he was selected by the Commanders in the final round (7th) of the 2025 NFL Draft, No. 245 overall. But Bill didn't let No. 245 discourage him, as he made the Commanders' final roster in 2025 with some sterling play in the preseason. Averaging 4.6 yards per carry and scoring 8 touchdowns, Croskey-Merritt gained 805 rushing yards during the 2025 regular season.

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Got to meet the LEGEND @TheDexterManley and future legend Bill @JacoryMerritt15 today in Middletown. Former NFL MVP and Middletown local Mark Moseley was also in the house pic.twitter.com/hDAK1A15aq

— #12 ryan (@RyanRutherchevy) July 4, 2026A fourth guest scheduled for the big day celebrating year 250 (1776-2026) was Emmy Award-winning NBC4 meteorologist Lauryn Ricketts. She has served with Storm Team 4 at NBC and WTOP 103.5 FM. Her hometown is Winchester, Virginia, and she is married to a U.S. Marine Corps officer and is the mother of two sons, born in 2022 and 2026.

>The parade began at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 4, on Main Street in Middletown. The town also planned what Mayor Charles Harbaugh described as the “biggest fireworks display” in Middletown history.

>This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington players help celebrate America 250