The Chicago Bears have become the first team to partake in the NFL’s new social justice initiative, donating over $500,000 to local programs, according to NFL.com’s Jeremy Bergman.
The Bears officially announced on Tuesday in a video featuring Acho, Trey Burton, Chase Daniel, Akiem Hicks, and Mitchell Trubisky.
Chicago Bears on Twitter
Hicks: “We’re all in.” #Bears players & ownership are committing more than $500,000 to local social justice programs, becoming the first team to maximize the NFL’s new social justice initiative. The committee spearheading the cause sits down to discuss why it’s important. https://t.co/p5HDFLU0j8
“Not only do we want to do stuff in the community,” Bears linebacker Sam Acho explained in the video, “but we also want to put our money behind it.”
“It’s been a good education,” Chairman George H. McCaskey said. “I’ve taken Sam’s lead on a bunch of these adventures, I guess you would call them, visiting a couple prisons, going on a ride-a-long with the Chicago Police Department and looking at some of the initiatives that are happening in the community. It’s been a real education for me.”
The players raised $250,000 and team ownership decided to match that amount.
The NFL and the Players Coalition previously finalized a social justice partnership in May, dedicating close to $90 million for efforts and programs combating social inequality. The partnership aims to work closely with players, teams and other programs to expand community improvement programs.
