Silver Anniversary Biletnikoff Foundation Crab Fest
LAS VEGAS – The Biletnikoff Foundation’s Celebrity Crab Festcelebrated its Silver Anniversary by adding a new element which contributed to another successful event. Attendees got the opportunity to be pitted against Raiders Alumni in the “Freddy’s Feud Show,” a fun-filled, interactive activity styled in popular game show fashion during the Crab Fest recently held at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.
The event supported the Biletnikoff Foundation and their mission to help teens in crisis and gathered guests for an evening among some of the most celebrated stars in sports and entertainment including the hosts, Super Bowl XI Most Valuable Player, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Raiders Legend Fred Biletnikoff and his wife Angela, Executive Director of the Biletnikoff Foundation.
The hosts spoke about this year’s Crab Fest and the Silver Anniversary celebration. “Isn’t that great, 25 years we’ve been doing this. It’s amazing,” said Fred Biletnikoff. “When I look back, I think of all the different levels that we’ve been, all the children that we’ve helped, all the lives that we’ve given hope and seen success in,” offered Angela. “But I also want to look forward as we’re not done as there are so many more people to meet, and love and offer hope.
This highly anticipated event once again featured an all-you-can-eat fresh Dungeness Crab Dinner, the ability to interact with the many stars in attendance and the opportunity to participate in a silent auction. Among those supporting the Biletnikoff’s event were Raiders Alumni including Pro Football Hall of Famers Marcus Allen, Tim Brown, Mike Haynes and Rod Woodson as well as valuable Silver and Black contributors Willie Gault, Teyo Johnson, Lincoln Kennedy, Shane Lechler, Napoleon McCallum, Terry Robiskie and Phil Villapiano.
The auction included both valuable sports memorabilia such as autographed Fred Biletnikoff jerseys and football as well as unique non-sports items, with Biletnikoff wine, custom purses, artwork vacation packages and private golf club venues, available for bid. The evening concluded with donut dessert offering and dancing to inspiring tunes.
Proceeds and recognition will benefit The St. Jude’s Ranch for Children and their latest project, the Healing Center, where the Biletnikoff Foundation has built a new Tracey’s Place of Hope and the Biletnikoff Center of Hope and their enduring efforts of the Biletnikoff Foundation to end adolescent domestic violence, substance abuse, and human trafficking.
Earlier this year, the Biletnikoff Foundation celebrated its 21st year of holding their Hall of Fame Invitational at DragonRidge Country Club. The tournament, the proceeds of which benefit the enduring efforts of the Biletnikoff Foundation, was headlined by the participation of the three Raiders Super Bowl Most Valuable Players—Fred Biletnikoff (Super Bowl XI), Jim Plunkett (Super Bowl XV) and Marcus Allen (Super Bowl XVIII).
Additionally in 2025, the Biletnikoffs were individually honored for their outstanding service to the community. Earlier this year, Angela received the Sylvia Mackey Woman of the Year Award, which recognizes women who are making a difference in the communities they serve. The day after the Crab Fest, Fred was inducted as a member of the 2025 Class for the International Sports Hall of Fame, which recognizes athletes from multiple sports with consideration to their community service.
Biletnikoff Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting youth, primarily from low to moderate-income neighborhoods or backgrounds, who are “at risk,” particularly to the realities of drug and alcohol addiction, domestic and gender violence, and human trafficking. For more information, please visit http://www.biletnikoff.org/.
The Mission
The primary objective of the Biletnikoff Foundation is to honor the memory of Tracey Biletnikoff and address the challenges of substance abuse, domestic violence, and human trafficking among young people. Established in 2000 following Tracey’s tragic murder, the foundation remains committed to supporting community and education programs that empower youth to reach their full potential.
Tracey’s vision for a teen residential facility persisted even after her untimely death. In 2000, the foundation launched Tracey’s Place of Hope in Burlingame, CA, a residential program for adolescent girls in crisis dealing with mental health issues, substance abuse, and domestic violence. The initiative expanded in 2014 with the establishment of another Tracey’s Place of Hope in Loomis, CA, catering to girls aged 14 to 18 facing challenges related to mental health, substance abuse, and human trafficking. This facility equips teens with essential skills for independent living during an average stay of 12 to 24 months, providing over 5,000 hours of psychotherapy services to more than 300 teens.
In 2023, the Biletnikoff Center of Hope was introduced as an extension of Tracey’s Place of Hope, offering counseling and various activities for teens. Supported by Koinonia Homes for Teens in Loomis, CA, the center employs trauma-based psychotherapy services, gardening, yoga, bible studies, and outdoor spaces to foster healing and turn tragedy into daily miracles. Furthering its impact, the Biletnikoff Foundation expanded in 2023 with the establishment of the Healing Center in Nevada. This pioneering facility aims to help more teens transform their lives, particularly victims of sex trafficking.
The Healing Center provides trauma-specific treatment to guide victims along the path of healing from being a victim to becoming a survivor and thriving in the community. Recognizing the complexities of emotional, physical, and sexual trauma, the center employs a variety of treatment modalities tailored to individual needs. This groundbreaking 10-acre facility serves over 60 girls aged 10 to 18, offering homes, an on-site school, meeting spaces, a library, a computer lab, healing gardens, and a yoga and meditation room.
The Healing Center is the first of its kind in the nation and plays a crucial role in empowering victims to address safety concerns, understand their victimization, enhance self-esteem, develop life skills, and achieve life goals. Many teens entering Tracey’s Place of Hope and the Biletnikoff Center of Hope with limited visions for their future have flourished when given the opportunity.
About Fred Biletnikoff
Fred Biletnikoff, a 6-1, 190-pounder with excellent hands and deceptive speed combined with skill, grit, and determination, caught 589 passes for 8,974 yards and 76 touchdowns during his 14-year career with the Oakland Raiders from 1965-78. At the time of his retirement, Fred dominated the Raiders’ record book for receiving and owned several significant NFL marks. Biletnikoff was All-AFL/AFC selection four times, the 1971 NFL receiving champion, and played in two AFL All-Star games, four AFC-NFC Pro Bowls, eight AFL/AFC title games, and two Super Bowls. The Erie, PA, native who was a consensus All-America receiver at Florida State, reached the zenith of a career filled with outstanding achievements when he caught four passes to set up three Oakland scores in the Raiders’ 32-14 victory in Super Bowl XI. He was named the game’s MVP. In 1995, his hometown dedicated a football field named in his honor.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988 and the College Football and Gator Bowl Halls of Fame in 1991 Biletnikoff also served as the Raiders’ wide receiver coach for 18 years. In 1994, the respected football legend had a national award named after him, The Biletnikoff Award, which is presented annually to the season’s outstanding college football receiver by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc. Fred and Angela married in 1991 and welcomed their daughter, Dacia, in 1992.
