Time to Give Back
Communities have been athletes' biggest supporters, so they always look to return the favor.
The NFL from the top down have the fortunate opportunity to help their communities and support charities across the nation to help those in need.
Every year all 32 teams nominate one player for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award to highlight their outstanding commitment and positive impact in supporting their communities.
During the 2023 season, Cincinnati Bengals center Ted Karras was nominated for his work with the Indianapolis, Indiana based charity, The Village of Merici, which works to provide independent living for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Karras won last year’s Nationwide’s Charity Challenge and his charity of choice, The Village of Merici, was awarded $35,000.
Immediately, the money was able to be put to use.
Colleen Renie is the Executive Director at the charity and said: “It allows us to provide more services to more individuals.
“We have a waiting list of over 100 who want our services, so, it allows us, as a non-profit, to hire more staff to provide the support services to these individuals.”
Karras’ support is greatly appreciated, and he constantly looks to help. Colleen said: “[In 2022] we held a Monte Carlo night and he had around a $25,000 match that night, and at the end of that year he had a $125,000 match.”
She also said that with the support they are able to grow their services to provide these individuals with “their basic human right” to be able to have a say in their living conditions.
In addition to the Walter Payton Award, the NFL has the My Cleats My Cause initiative.
During weeks 13 and 14, players, as well as coaches and retired players, can wear custom cleats promoting a charity of their choice, which can be auctioned off to fans with the proceeds being sent to the charity that the cleats represent.
Over 1,400 people participated during the 2024 season, and Jake Elliott, kicker for the Philadelphia Eagles, chose to support the Philadelphia-based Street Tails Animal Rescue (STAR), which he is a two-time adopter.
Nichole, a spokesperson for STAR, said: “Initiatives like My Cleats My Cause are critical for shining a spotlight on the incredible work being done by nonprofits across the country.
“For Street Tails, this initiative elevates awareness about the thousands of animals in need of homes and the importance of rescue work.
“Programs like this not only bring resources and visibility to important missions but also connect people with ways to make a difference, strengthening the community as a whole.”
She also said that connections, like the one with Elliott, speaks to the testament of STAR having strong relationships with their adopters.
The Eagles set up a sponsorship that, for a limited time during the end of the 2024 regular season, adoption fees were covered. Nichole said: “This collaboration is a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase our mission to a broader audience.
“By highlighting the care and thoughtfulness we put into every adoption, we hope to inspire more people to support rescue work and consider adopting in the future.
Outside of the league, the NFL Players Association chose six charities to be their 2024-25 charitable partners, and donated $25,000 to each.
Team River Runner, a charity to help US Veterans reintegrate to their community after finishing their service, and The VERB Kind, a charity to help give incarcerated juveniles a second chance, were two of those six.
Joe Mornini, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Team River Runner, and Haley Hunt, the Founder of the VERB Kind, are grateful for the opportunity to be NFLPA charitable partners.
Haley said: “[I was] Absolutely shocked, but then to be chosen as the “social justice” partner, which I know is on the top of so many people's minds, was even more special for me.”
While Joe said: “We really are appreciative of the NFLPA for supporting us.”
Both founders have been able to make positive change with their grant money.
Haley said: “The NFLPA has not only helped us with our events and made our community events a success because of their affiliation and financial support, but they’ve also been able to invite players from each location that we have to join the movement and to be a part of something powerful.”
A message from someone who has been positively impacted by The VERB Kind. (Photo Credit: Haley Hunt/The VERB Kind)
A message from someone who has been positively impacted by The VERB Kind. (Photo Credit: Haley Hunt/The VERB Kind)
Joe said they have been able to do “everything” with the grant from the NFLPA, which includes playing kayak football with their veterans.
In addition to kayak football, he said: “We use [the grant] for different instructional programs, such as certification programs like first aid or wilderness first aid or an American Canoe Association training and certification.”
Haley credits a lot of the “non-famous people” who help make the biggest impact on the kid's lives, but also said that having high-profile names help spread their mission and need for help faster.
Not only does Team River Runner help veterans by having them engage in fun adaptive paddling activities, but they see themselves as a therapeutic resource for the veterans.
Their volunteer veterans help new veterans who look to use Team River Runner’s services, but they also have started branching out to communities with disabilities too.
Joe said: Some of our chapters actually help individuals with disabilities. An example of that, a small example because it's not something that we do everywhere, but we do it enough that it's being done, is veterans helping non-veterans who live with disabilities.”
While Team River Runner looks to grow their chapters and introduce more veterans to their therapeutic services, The VERB Kind is getting ready to open a location in New Orleans.
Haley said: “We are opening in a few big cities starting with New Orleans.
Haley Hunt with other The VERB Kind workers. (Photo Credit: Haley Hunt/The VERB Kind)
Haley Hunt with other The VERB Kind workers. (Photo Credit: Haley Hunt/The VERB Kind)
“And our first event is the week of the Super Bowl where we will bring NFL players to the local juvenile detention center with us!
“This will be an incredible opportunity to meet the staff there and begin a relationship so we can launch there in the spring!”
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