In years past, the narrative of NFL athletes being blinded by affluence and disengaged from the hardships of others was merely a murmur amongst the most bitter of spectators. In wake of the polarization throughout the League regarding racial tension in the United States, particularly as it relates to kneeling in response to police brutality and systemic oppression, disgruntled fans have given this narrative new life, using it as grounds to assert that an NFL athlete’s salary should be sufficient to keep him standing and silent.
The problem with this attitude is that it overlooks the breadth of good that NFL players do for their communities on a daily basis. We idolize players for their accomplishments on the field each Sunday-whether they send us to the top of our Fantasy league or merely provide a few hours of escape within our own oftentimes chaotic lives. But far too often, we do not watch as these men, fathers, brothers, sons and neighbors choose to make a lasting impact off of the field.
This column is dedicated to acknowledging the charity and acts of kindness and leadership that NFL players commit, giving light to their efforts off the field and giving us all a greater reason to cheer when they step onto the field each week:
The Retired Professional Football Players of Chicago provided two young men full, four-year college scholarships for their achievements on-and-off the field. Most notably, Rashied Davis, Jerry Azumah, Otis Wilson, Bruce Herron and others came together for a golf tournament in late July to raise money for these young men.
Saints’ punter Thomas Morestead raised over $70,000 for the family of Christopher Cordaro, a Saints employee who has been battling cancer for the past few years. Morestead livestreamed himself doing as many pull-ups as he possibly could on the 24th of July, completing 418 total. You can watch the incredible video of Morestead here.
Jaguars’ Jalen Ramsey donated $10,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Florida. Ramsey didn’t let the arrival of his new baby stop him from making an impact on his community. When asked about the donation, Ramsey reminisced that he “grew up in the Boys and Girls Club” and is “trying to grow as a man, not just on the field but outside of the field as well.”
Former Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre started a new charity named “4 Outdoors” that works to reunite veterans with service dogs. Watch one of the first reunions facilitated by Favre’s new charity here.
The San Fransisco 49ers invited fifty local children for a free football and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics) camp. The goal of the camp, known as 49ers EDU, is “to teach more children teamwork, goal-setting, and how to live a healthy lifestyle in a fun, safe, and educational environment.”
After their first day of training camp, the Seattle Seahawks’ favorite duo, the Griffin twins hung out with children from an organization known as Giving to Fly, an organization that “supports amputees and children with missing limbs by giving them the financial support to attend camps around the country.” For linebacker Shaquem Griffin, this cause hits close to home. Shaquem was diagnosed with amniotic band syndrome as a child and is an amputee himself–continuing to write one of the most inspiring stories in the League since his draft day.
The Denver Broncos hosted a school supplies drive in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver, taking the time to shop with underserved children in the Denver area and get them ready for the upcoming school year. For rookie wide receiver Courtland Sutton, the day had a personal impact, expressing his excitement to “help the kids go to school with confidence.”
Did we miss something? Tweet us your inspiring stories around the NFL at @emi_maire to have it featured in our next round up.
