On The TunneySide of Sports December 24, 2018 #724 Up next… “Giving Back!
After further review… This column has been, on more than one occasion, critical of professional athletes, especially NFL players, who have been guilty of egregious behavior. These athletes know better, yet for some reason allow their good judgment to slip away and fall into misbehavior. Having been on the field with so many wonderful NFL players for more than three decades, I have witnessed many more who have outstanding character and a willingness to help others. This past Christmas/Holiday season is no exception.
Now in its third year, the NFL has allowed personalization of cleats during pre-game activities. The campaign is called “My Cause, My Cleats” which allows players to write special messages on their shoes, called cleats, to honor a charity of their choice. This is for pre-game only, but not allowed during the game itself and permitted only during NFL Weeks 13-16. The player then may auction-off those cleats raising money for his chosen charity.
The topics those players selected for this 2018 season vary from bullying prevention, to helping those with Autism, to families impacted by gun violence and a variety of other causes. Players share images of their cleats and the stories behind them on social media using the hashtag #mycausemycleats. While this program is new, I have witnessed hundreds of NFL players over the years create their own foundation donating their money, time and energy to charities.
In addition to NFL players, NFL game officials continue a Christmas/Holiday season tradition that started in the 1970s of donating money, food, clothing, etc. to a charity of their choice. Some examples: one crew assesses each of the seven plus the replay official donating more than $100,000 in 12 years by making contributions to Children’s Burn Camp, Louisville Downs Syndrome Foundation, food shelters and other charities. Another crew this season has voted to donate their money to the Boys and Girls Club of St. Paul, MN., with matching funds, thereby doubling their gift. Another crew is donating their funds to Young Life designated for high school students throughout the country.
All 17 NFL crews donate substantially to charities each Christmas/Holiday season in addition to whatever they donate through their own family giving. Further, most are also involved in their own communities donating personal time, energy and money to those in need. Indeed, NFL game officials consider it a privilege to work on the NFL field.
Will you consider it a privilege to help others in need?
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