Each week during the regular season, the NFLPA will recognize one active NFL player who has demonstrated a commitment to making a positive impact in his community, naming them the Community MVP. We will be profiling these players each week, honoring them for their commitments off the field.
Today the NFLPA announced that the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Calais Campbell was named Week 4 NFLPA Community MVP.
Through his CRC Foundation, the All-Pro defensive end donated $20,000 to four organizations which work with domestic violence victims and youth in his hometown of Denver.
Back on September 23rd, before the Jaguars’ game against the Broncos in Denver, Campbell announced donations of $5,000 donations each to:
- Beckwourth Outdoor Education (where he attended summer camp as a kid)
- Hiawatha Davis Rec Center (where he played football from ages 6-13)
- The Denver Police Athletic League (for which he played youth sports)
- The Rose Andom Center (which helps victims of domestic violence)
“The game of football continues to be a platform for me to change lives and I’m grateful to the NFLPA for recognizing the work I’m doing in the community,” said Campbell in the press release. “I was one of many young people who relied on Denver-based community after-school and sports programs, and this was just simply of my way of saying thank you.”
Campbell, who also serves as the team’s player representative, adds the donations to a list of other charitable initiatives he is undertaking in his 11th NFL season, one which he’s dubbed the “Season of Giving.” Each month this season, he will donate up to $20,000 to a different cause based on the on-field performance of him and the Jaguars. This includes:
- $1,000 per Jaguars win
- $5,000 per sack
- $2,500 per half sack
- $2,000 per tackle for loss
- $10,000 per blocked kick or turnover
“This season, I wanted to use my play on the field to bring attention and funds to some very deserving causes in Jacksonville, Denver and nationally with my “Season of Giving” initiative,” said Campbell. “It only made sense to include Denver charities that either impacted me directly or are doing great work to serve those in need. I can’t wait to see how much money we can raise together for more deserving causes the rest of the season.”
Calais founded the CRC Foundation in honor of his late father, Charles Richard Campbell, who taught him to always pay it forward, something which he has obviously taken to heart. From founding an after-school reading program to hosting Christmas shopping sprees for disadvantaged children, Campbell continues to give his time, money and self to his communities.
In honor of Campbell being named this week’s Community MVP, the NFLPA will make a $10,000 contribution to the CRC Foundation.
