Driving Change
The NFL family is coming together to address systemic issues across the country. Check out how teams and players are making an impact in their communities.
Packers leaders meet after Jacob Blake shooting
The Green Bay Packers, who in June released a powerful video message after George Floyd was killed, held a meeting Monday between coach Matt LaFleur and the players' leadership council to discuss what actions they could take after a police shooting just 155 miles from Lambeau Field. Read the full article here.
Vikings' Anthony Barr: Players got NFL's attention on social justice, and more is needed
Anthony Barr isn’t a rah-rah player on the field, or the loudest voice in the locker room. But the 28-year-old linebacker said he looked internally before speaking out for social change. Read the full article here.
Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford to fund social justice program for Georgia athletes
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is helping to fund a social justice program for athletes at his alma mater. Read the full article here.
Ravens Announce Distribution of $1 Million in Social Justice Donations
The Stephen and Renee Bisciotti Foundation and the Baltimore Ravens have jointly distributed $1 million to support social justice reform throughout the Baltimore community. Read the full article here.
Malcolm Jenkins doesn’t stop working to create change
The latest plans are for the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation to expand its free digital curriculum, Power Pathway Academy. The e-curriculum program offers students exposure to a wide variety of potential careers for both college-bound and non-college bound students and more through an innovative micro-learning platform designed to engage youth on their devices through culturally relevant learning experiences. Read the full article here.
Drew Brees makes $5 million donation for local healthcare
Saints quarterback Drew Brees is making a $5 million donation to help his community stay healthier. Read the full article here.
Falcons' Todd Gurley and Grady Jarrett push NFL to do more on social justice issues
Todd Gurley and Grady Jarrett hope talking candidly about racial injustice will help promote change. But both Gurley and Jarrett are eager to continue to put action behind their words. Read the full article here.
Saints DE Cameron Jordan makes donation to New Orleans youth
Cameron Jordan makes a $25,000 donation to provide laptops and other essential electronics for low income New Orleans youth. Read the full Tweet here.
Chiefs great Will Shields turns attention to Midwest Innocence Project
It’s been five years since former Chiefs guard Will Shields was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That makes for a rare and fine legacy in itself. But nearly 20 years after Shields was awarded the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award in 2003 for public service through his standard-bearing Will to Succeed Foundation, what actually defines Shields is how he has applied the influential platform. Read the full article here.
Lions' minority coaching program a positive first step
Billy Yates quickly transitioned from the strength-coach job he’d held at three different college programs following his NFL retirement to an on-field role working initially with the Lions’ defensive line. And this past winter, Yates earned a promotion to position coach on Patricia’s staff, as an assistant offensive line coach. Read the full article here.
Former Bears linebacker Sam Acho helping turn West Side liquor store into food mart
The former Bears linebacker raised $500,000 to buy Belmonte Cut Rate Liquors on the West Side with the help of Chicago athletes like Mitch Trubisky, Jonathan Toews, Lucas Giolito, Jason Heyward, Diamond DeShields and others. Read the full article here.
Jaguars are proud to support #BlackoutDay2020
On July 7, 2020, the Jaguars are proud to support #BlackoutDay2020 and encourage our fans to support Black-owned businesses in their communities. This concept shows economic solidarity with the Black community with an emphasis on acknowledging and working towards economic advancement for all Black people. Read the full article here.
New Orleans Saints wideout Austin Carr and former Saints quarterback Chase Daniel help support renovation efforts for By the Hand (BTH)
New Orleans Saints wideout Austin Carr and former Saints quarterback Chase Daniel have contributed donations to renovation efforts for By the Hand (BTH), a Chicago-based organization helping children who live in under-resourced neighborhoods have abundant life. Read the full article here.
Jets WR Quincy Enunwa promoting mental health awareness with help from his wife
“My wife created and is selling #BlackFeelingsMatter masks,” Enunwa said. When people are continually looking for ways to give back, she’s found an amazing one. 100% of proceeds will be donated to @therapyforblackgirls and National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network, which aim to provide culturally affirming therapy to people of color. See the post here.
Will Grier helping provide scholarships to Black student-athletes at West Charlotte HS
Grier partnered with his marketing team at ESM Football to provide scholarships for Black student-athletes at West Charlotte High School. Read the full article here.
Dinner with Dak: Quarterback invites Dallas police officer, Cowboys superfan Jaime Castro to impromptu dinner discussion
Prescott and some friends had a private late-night dinner at a popular Dallas steakhouse. Dallas police officer Jaime Castro was there working security when Prescott invited Jaime to join the dinner table for a conversation about police work. Read the full article here.
Roynell Young, Pro-Vision Featured on Next Episode of "Conversations for Change"
Young, a former Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro cornerback, founded his nonprofit in 1990 with a vision to transform Houston's underserved male youth into leaders. Pro-Vision's mission states that it was created to inspire hope and purpose into young people, families and communities through access to academic, economic and social enrichment opportunities. Read the full article here.
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross commits $13M to RISE
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is committing $13 million over the next four years to fight systemic racism through RISE, the nonprofit foundation he started in 2015. Read the full article here.
Lorenzo Alexander: Realizing my purpose in the fight for racial justice
The Athletic reached out several weeks ago to ask Lorenzo Alexander about his perspective on the events that have taken place in America following the death of George Floyd. Read the full article here. (Subscription Required)
Black college football coaches pay it forward in effort to expand diversity pipeline
In the aftermath of the third annual NFL Quarterback Coaching Summit this week, the participants behind the event took turns hammering home the point that there is no shortage of Black men who are ready and qualified to become head coaches in the diversity-starved NFL — they just need a chance. Read the full article here.
Christian McCaffrey, Shaq Thompson among Panthers investing in community police relations
Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey announced that he is teaming up with linebacker Shaq Thompson through the “22 Together” program that will help provide sports to underserved youth in partnership with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department’s Police Activities League (PAL). Read the full article here.
BROWNS AND ANDREW BERRY LAUNCH #BETHESOLUTION TO FIGHT SOCIAL JUSTICE
Browns EVP of Football Operations and GM provides an opportunity to turn words into action in the fight against racial injustice through new campaign. Read the full article here.
Less talk, more action: How Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence is trying to inspire change in his own way
The Cowboys starting defensive end wants his actions to be heard. He’s about voting, developing educational programs, he’s handing out lunches and dinners to health care workers and marching in the streets of Fort Worth to get Juneteenth to become a national holiday as part of his actions. Read the full article here.
Drew Brees, wife Brittany to sponsor Black College Football Hall of Fame event
As the presenting sponsor, the Brees family is providing both financial and promotional support to "The Road to Equality" event, which is scheduled to be streamed July 15 and hosted by NFL Network's Steve Wyche and CBS' Charles Davis. Read the full article here.
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins’ rookie class give insight at High School Football Media Day
The event included seminars on financial literacy, social media tips, nutrition and diversity. Nearly all of the Dolphins’ rookies, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, participated in the event. Read the full article here.
Bobby Massie is committing $10,000 to the National Urban League
Bobby Massie is committing $10,000 to the National Urban League to help their continued fight for economic empowerment, equality, and social justice. See the Tweet here.
Matt Ryan hosting radiothon to support Black community in Atlanta
Join me June 30th for my radiothon to Advance the Lives of the Black Community in Atlanta on 680 The Fan & 93.7 FM! Tune in all day, bid on auction items & consider donating what you can. Whether big or small, you'll join me in making a difference. Visit http://680thefan.com. See the Tweet here.
James White holds Q&A with Zone Members during virtual Scholar Athletes Gala
The annual event serves as Scholar Athletes' largest fundraiser as it partners with under-resourced Massachusetts communities and aims to build equity, close opportunity gaps, and leverage the power of sports to cultivate skills needed for success both in and outside of the classroom. Read the full article here.
Seahawks To Support Three Seattle-Area LGBTQ+ Foundations
The Seahawks donated $2,500 to the Cascade Flag Football Association, a non-profit organization founded in 2016 as an LGBTQIA and allies flag football league in Seattle. Read the full article here.
Arthur Blank donating proceeds from book
The personal proceeds from his upcoming book, ‘GOOD COMPANY’ will go to The National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Blank will make an initial contribution of $300,000. See the Tweet here.
Seahawks Charitable Foundation Donates $100,000 To Black Future Co-Op Fund
Launched with over $2.5 million in committed donations, including $100,000 from the Seattle Seahawks Charitable Foundation, as well as a $250,000 donation from the Paul G Allen Family Foundation, the Black Future Co-op Fund aims to respond to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19, strengthen black culture, increase resilience to economic and other shocks, and build generational wealth. Read the full article here.
Bobby Wagner joins in fight against voter suppression
Bobby Wagner: Proud to join in the fight against voter suppression. You can too by going to morethanavote.org. See the Tweet here.
Race and the NFL: a star-studded panel discusses social change, protests
The Los Angeles Times formed a panel of Richard Sherman and Robert Woods, two star NFL players; Tony Dungy, a Hall of Fame coach; and LZ Granderson, a Times columnist who routinely writes about the intersection of sports, race and politics. Read the full article here.
National discourse on race hits home for these Tampa Bay fathers, sports figures
These are the conversations African American players and coaches, from Gary Sheffield to Gerald McCoy to Tony Dungy to Renaldo Garcia, are having with their children. Read the full article here.
Thomas Davis pledges $100K to help bail dads out of jail for Father’s Day in Charlotte
Former Carolina Panther Thomas Davis is pledging $100,000 to help with a cause to bail out fathers for Father’s Day in Charlotte. Davis made the announcement during a discussion about police reform and systemic racism hosted by Grammy-nominated artist and Charlotte native DaBaby. Read the full article here.
Falcons' Dan Quinn among Atlanta coaches to lead roundtable talk on race
Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn saying he thought NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's video apology regarding peaceful protest bridged a gap with the players was one of the highlights of Thursday's Zoom roundtable discussion on race headed by Quinn, Atlanta Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce and Atlanta Dream coach Nicki Collen. Read the full article here.
Kim Pegula explains why she stands for anthem but supports those who kneel
Kim Pegula has her reasons for standing for the national anthem. The co-owner of the Buffalo Bills reflects on those most humble of beginnings when she hears the national anthem being played. Read the full article here.
Doug Williams: 'Open the valve' for black coaches
Doug Williams used to hear a common refrain whenever the NFL’s lack of minority head coaches came up. The justification — or excuse — given was that there wasn’t anyone “in the pipeline” qualified to oversee a team. Read the full article here.
The NFL Legends Podcast with Curtis Martin - #BlackLivesMatter
#BlackLivesMatter. Hall of Famer Curtis Martin opens up about his experiences with racial profiling - specifically when he was wrongfully pulled over one block away from his own home. Visit Players-Coalition.org to learn how to get involved and listen to the podcast here.
The NFL has awarded two new grants and renewed seven others through its social justice platform Inspire Change. The new honorees are Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO, Inc.) and Success For All. Both organizations will use the funding for educational advancement. Read the full article here.
NFL ANNOUNCES LATEST ROUND OF INSPIRE CHANGE GRANTS: ‘TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE AN IMPACT’
Over the course of the NFL’s social justice initiative, the league has made a hefty financial commitment toward providing grants across the country. Read the full article here.
The NFL is expanding its social justice grant recipient pool — and Nashville is reaping the benefits
Nashville had been targeted for a social justice grant by the Success for All Foundation months ago — even before a tornado ravaged the city, the COVID-19 pandemic made learning more difficult, and another wave of storms recently knocked out power across the city and provided another obstacle for young, at-risk students. Read the full article here.
Anquan Boldin shares poignant inspiration for social justice
Players Coalition co-founder Anquan Boldin shared a poignant personal tragedy in the signature public service spot of the NFL’s Inspire Change platform during Sunday’s conference championship games. Read the full article here.
Retired NFL Star Steve Smith's New Opponents? Mental Health and Domestic Violence
These days, the three-time All-Pro wide receiver is more interested in discussing the numbers associated with the Smith Family Wellness Center in Charlotte, a free clinic the 40-year-old’s Steve Smith Family Foundation opened in 2016 as part of a partnership with Project 658. Read the full article here.
NFL, Players Coalition give $3 million to help black communities with coronavirus
Moving to assist communities of color ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic, the NFL, through its Inspire Change platform, and the Players Coalition will donate more than $3 million for seven of the United States' most significantly impacted markets. Read the full article here.
Lions powering Empowerment Plan's pivot to medical supply production
The Lions’ player-led social justice initiative, Detroit Lions Inspire Change, will fund the Empowerment Plan's operations for the month of April to make medical grade surgical gowns and masks for the region's medical community amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic, as part of a regional collaboration led by ISAIC, the Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center. Read the full article here.
Dolphins Partner With 5000 Role Models To Host FOOTBALL UNITES™ Police & Youth Conference
The Miami Dolphins FOOTBALL UNITES™ program partnered with the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project for the second consecutive year to host a conference at Hard Rock Stadium designed to promote positive interaction between youth and law enforcement. Read the full article here.
The 2020 New York Giants Touchdown Fellowship
The 2019-2020 New York Giants Touchdown Fellowship supports five college students in their educational and career pursuits in the Criminal Justice field. The Emerging Leadership for Criminal Justice Reform Course prepares students to critically assess criminal justice policy, understand policy challenges, and learn about historical events that cause, shape and sustain mass incarceration. Watch the video here.
Over 1,400 pro athletes, coaches call on Congress to back bill ending qualified immunity
A band of more than 1,400 current and former professional athletes and coaches from the NFL, NBA and MLB is calling on Congress to support legislation eliminating qualified immunity, the legal protection that officers have for their actions when they are on official duty. Read the full article here.
Bucs Players Take Action, Collaborate With Community Leaders
Buccaneers players Carlton Davis, D'Cota Dixon, Ali Marpet and Donovan Smith joined forces with a variety of community leaders, including mayors, senators, police officers, and educators during the Safe & Sound Hillsborough's Moving Forward Community Discussion and Planning Forum in Tampa. Read the full article here.
49ers' Kendrick Bourne speaks at Black Lives Matter rally in Bay Area
Kendrick Bourne quickly has become a fan-favorite in the Bay Area ever since the 49ers signed the undrafted free agent out of Eastern Washington University in 2017. On Sunday, he showed how he can be a voice off the field as well. Read the full article here.
Dont'a Hightower Donates to Color of Change and Two Food Banks
Hightower made substantial donations to Color of Change and two foodbanks, one in Boston and the other in his hometown of Nashville. See the post here.
Why I march: I don’t want police violence supported by my tax dollars | Malcolm Jenkins
Malcolm Jenkins penned an op-ed about why he joined thousands in the streets as part of nationwide protests prompted by the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. Read the full article here.
Devin and Jason McCourty host roundtable discussion about racism and protests on "Double Coverage"
As protests take place across the world in the wake of the murders of black men and women, like George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, Devin and Jason McCourty again used their platform to hold honest discussions about racism and creating change. Read the full article here.
Josh Norman, Josh McCown create dialogue on race in America
Joining NFL Network's Steve Wyche, a round table including Buffalo Bills cornerback Josh Norman, quarterback Josh McCown, and NFL Network's Michael Robinson held a transparent discussion on the country-wide protests and the resolute actions needed going forward. Norman and McCown are each members on the Players Coalition task force. Read the full article here.
Marquette King helps to clean up downtown Phoenix
Marquette King went to downtown Phoenix with gloves and trash bags to clean up the city. See the Tweet here.
Players Coalition issues statement regarding George Floyd's death
The Players Coalition, an organization co-founded in 2017 by former NFL player Anquan Boldin and Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins, became the latest entity on Saturday to issue a statement in the wake of the death of George Floyd. Read the full article here.
Texans' Deshaun Watson launches Ashley HomeStore summer reading program challenge
Deshaun Watson launched the Ashley HomeStore summer reading program challenge and joined a George Floyd march with the Mayor in downtown Houston. Read the full article here.
Dallas Cowboy Jaylon Smith Offering $200K in Capital for Deserving, Minority Entrepreneurs
Smith is making an impact off the field in a big way. He’s doing it through his Minority Entrepreneurship Institute. MEI connects investors with minority-owned businesses on their way up but could use a financial boost getting there. Read the full article here.
Players Coalition members urge passage of educational funding measure
A coalition of former and current NFL players is urging Congress to pass a coronavirus relief bill that would provide critical funding for elementary and secondary education. Read the full article here.
Players Coalition letter seeks federal investigation into shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery
The Players Coalition and dozens of professional athletes sent a letter Friday to Attorney General William Barr and FBI Director Christopher Wray requesting an immediate federal investigation into the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia. Read the full article here.
Emmanuel Acho: Uncomfortable Conversations With A Black Man
The former NFL player and now FS1 host talks about the series he created in the wake of national protests against police brutality. He hosts "uncomfortable conversations" with various white celebrities. Read the full article here.
Massachusetts Teacher Association honor Devin McCourty, Jason McCourty, Matthew Slater, and Duron Harmon
The Massachusetts Teacher Association honored Devin McCourty, Jason McCourty, Matthew Slater, and Duron Harmon with its Friend of Education Award. The players advocated for a $1.5 billion school funding bill that was signed into law in fall of 2019. Read the full article here.
Larry Fitzgerald Jr.: This Is Not the Minneapolis of My Youth
The Arizona Cardinals star wide receiver writes of present-day unrest and recalls a more peaceful time in his hometown. “We are not listening to one another.” Read the full article here.
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