Pros For Africa: Providing HOPE, HELP and LOVE to children of AFRICA
In March of 2011, PROS FOR AFRICA will spend several days in Uganda and Rwanda in an effort to provide much needed medical aid, food, clean drinking water, love and hope to those in need.
In addition PROS FOR AFRICA is excited to announce our partnership with the Starkey Hearing Foundation and Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals. With their help, thousands of children in both Uganda and Rwanda will be given the gift of hearing for the first time.
“Africa may have abundant natural resources, but it is the world’s poorest continent. Much of the poverty can be traced to political corruption and war, but illiteracy and deadly diseases and viruses share much of the blame for Africa’s woes,” says Pros for Africa Founder Reggie Whitten of Oklahoma City. “We are bringing two African countries doctors, dentists and badly-needed medicines. We are bringing Americans that dig wells and purify water. We are bringing food and we are doing what we must for the children and families we touch in Uganda and Rwanda,” Whitten says.
Pros for Africa has created a special YouTube page that can be accessed directly from the Pros for Africa website: http://prosforafrica.com/
The NFL stars include Adrian Peterson, Tommie Harris, Roy Williams, Larry Fitzgerald, Santonio Holmes, Bryant McKinnie, Gerald McCoy, Derrick Morgan, Vernon Davis and Vontae Davis.
Jay Cutler quietly does charity work in Kenya
By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter
Jay Cutler is not your particular limelight NFL quarterback, best known as a gutsy gunslinger who plays the game with plenty of emotion. One side of Cutler that is rarely shown is the philanthropy he partakes in during the off season.
The Bears quarterback, along with the non-profit One Kid One World, have been focused on rebuilding schools as well as providing supplies to teachers and students in Kenya and El Salvador.
Cutler also visited sick children at the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital in December. It’s something that is not always publicized due to the fact that Cutler doesn’t always make it known of his charitable endeavors.
While others wrongfully questioned his toughness, and made news of nothing, they might have missed out some of the positive things going on in Jay’s life.
Skinnypost.com gives Cutler props (regardless if he spanked my Eagles or not!) because making a difference in the lives of others is something we tip our hats off too. Keep doing what you do Jay, we’ll try not to let everyone know what your doing. 
“That’s the side of Jay a lot of people don’t know,” Bears president Ted Phillips said Sunday. “He does have a caring side to him.”
If you would like to learn more about The Jay Cutler Foundation visit http://www.jaycutlersix.com/JCFoundation
The Jay Cutler Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for underprivileged children and those suffering from diabetes.
To support the the Jay Cutler Foundation, send your donation to:
Jay Cutler Foundation
910 West Van Buren Street
PO Box 414
Chicago, IL 60607
Da Beard!
By Steve O’Reilly
When I was growing up playing football we would sometimes crack jokes about the opposing teams age and or size, especially if they were better than us. “Did you see that guy, he had a beard!” would be a phrase you might hear on the bus ride back home after a buttkicking. It always seemed as though the guys out on the field with the beards were tough, not to be challenged. In many ways Brett Keisel provides the Steelers with a bit of bite. The Defensive End is relentless in two things, his pursuit of Quarterbacks and of helping others in need. Brett and his family are so very active in helping others that you quickly forget how intimidating he looks on the gridiron when you see how caring he is off of it. Read more
Polamalu effort brings in $135,000 for military fundraiser
By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter
Even though Troy Polamalu Steelers didn’t win in the Superbowl, he did win off the field. Via an online auction on Twitter he raised $135,000 for veterans, service members and their families
The amounted raised was a record for Operation Once in a Lifetime, which is a Dallas-based charity that helps the military.
The auction ran Jan. 29 through Feb. 5 and was sponsored by TwitChange, an Atlanta-based group that holds celebrity auctions for charity on Twitter.
With the help of TwitChange fans get a chance to be followed, mentioned or re-tweeted by their favorite star. Fans are also able to bid on a mega-package that, in addition to the other items, included some celebrity gifts.
Troy Polamalu offered six autographed tickets to the Super Bowl, two of which were with his family. In total the six tickets brought in $22,000. Teammate Lawrence Timmons raised $300.
Superbowl champion linebacker Clay Matthews also chipped in and raised more than $2,000.
Please watch to learn more about Operation Once in a Lifetime:
Eagles players Appear on ‘The View’ to Fight Bullying
By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter
Nadin Khoury, a 13-year-old boy from Upper Darby, PA , was bullied by seven classmates known as the “wolfpack” The young teens videotaped a bullying incident and uploaded it to YouTube. What is most impressive is the courage that was shown by Nadin as he attempts to get his message across to those who are bullying out there.
Nadin was invitied to appear on ABC’s “The View” today to speak on the topic of bullying. The well spoken young man got his message across on live television. Nadin who is from the Philadelphia area, is also a huge Eagles fan, The View surpised the young teen with a visit from DeSean Jackson, Jamal Jackson, and Todd Herremans.
Desean Jackson gave the teen the No. 10 jersey off of his back, and Todd and Desean let Nadin and his family know they would get to go to a game of their choice next season.
Hats off to Desean Jackson, Todd Herremans and Jamal Jackson for their kind gesture to uplift Nadin and his family.
The National Football Players Father’s Association Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary
February 2, 2011 (Garland, TX)- The National Football Players Father’s Association (NFPFA) will host their 10th Anniversary during the most exciting week in professional football on Saturday, February 5, 2011 at The Atrium at the Granville Arts Center in Garland, TX. Hosted by the City of Garland and Mayor Ronald E. Jones, the city is graciously welcoming the parents of the NFL Players. The NFPFA will hold its Annual Legends Luncheon which plans to be a star-studded event. Bringing star power to Garland, this year’s honorees include Tim Brown, Retired NFL Player, 9-time Pro Bowl selection, 1987 Heisman Trophy Winner and Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalist. Dallas Cowboys All-Pro guard, Leonard Davis, will be honored for his generous work in the local community as well as his accomplishments on the field. While he’s preparing for his second Super Bowl appearance, Pittsburgh Steelers’ Head Coach, Mike Tomlin, will be honored and his brother, Ed Tomlin will accept on his behalf. To round out the impressive list of honorees, NFPFA President and Founder, Samuel McNabb (father to NFL Quarterback Donovan McNabb) will be recognized for his leadership and guidance of the formation of the National Football Players Father’s Association.
The NFPFA was founded 10 years ago by fathers Mr. McNabb, Mr. Ray Smith and Mr. Robert Porcher based on the belief that as fathers, they could not only make an impact in their own son’s lives but others. The NFPFA’s mission is to assist their pro athlete sons in their professional and personal development, help maintain their image and maximize their potential both on and off the field and assisting them in their charitable and community service efforts at both the local and national levels. Most importantly, encourage dads nationally to get involved in their sons and daughters lives now and forever and show by example the importance of being a dad and a pillar of strength consistently.
Guests include current and retired NFL players, NFL Moms and Dads, and business professionals. Partial proceeds will be donated to the Dallas Chapter of the Retired NFLPA. Tickets are available at: www.nfpfa.org. Media is invited to cover the event.
FACT SHEET
2011 Legends Luncheon
Who: City of Garland & National Football Players Father’s Assoc (NFPFA)
What: 2011 NFPFA Legends Luncheon
Honorees:
Mike Tomlin (Head Coach Pittsburgh Steelers, Super Bowl Champion XLIII) *brother Ed Tomlin to accept on his behalf
Tim Brown (Retired NFL Player, 9-time Pro Bowl Selection, 1987 Heisman Trophy Winner, Hall of Fame Finalist)
Leonard Davis (Dallas Cowboys)
Samuel McNabb (Founder/President, NFPFA & Father to Washington Redskins’ QB, Donovan McNabb)
Where: The Atrium at the Granville Arts Center
300 N. Fifth Street
Garland, TX 75040
Date: Saturday, February 5, 2011
Time: 11:00 am-1:00pm
Ticket Information: www.nfpfa.org
or
www.nfpfaultimatefootballgame.eventbrite.com
(or pay at door)
Drew Brees and Visa promote financial awareness!
Visa and the National Football League have teamed up to help teach financial concepts with Financial Football, a fast-paced, interactive game that engages students and adults to teach them money management skills. Teams compete by answering financial questions to earn yardage and score touchdowns.
To try your luck at Financial Football Click here!
In the NFL whether you league minimum or you have a superstar’s salary, athletes have to know the basics of how to handle their money to make sure they succeed off the field in the financial world.
During this years NFL annual four-day rookie symposium 252 draft picks, sat through a presentation from NFL sponsor Visa Inc. that reviewed the importance of saving part of what they earn and keeping track of their credit score.
Rookies were able to learn about financial planning and hiring investment advisers who can help them through future business endeavors.
The main focus was to help young players from making financial mistakes which are made way to often by professional athletes. In the NFL players careers on average last just over three years. Recently Sports Illustrated reported that 78 percent of former NFL players have gone bankrupt, or are facing financial stress because of joblessness and divorce just two years after leaving the game.
“I think the assumption is that everybody who plays in the NFL is a millionaire,” said Drew Brees, quarterback of the New Orleans Saints, who promotes Visa’s financial literacy efforts. “That’s not the case at all.”
The majority of players earn the league minimum $325,000 a year.
“You get that first check, you’ve never seen that much money in your life, especially at one time,” said Brees, 31. One big danger is young players who try to keep up with the lifestyle of teammates with big contracts. “I see it all the time unfortunately,” he said.
The players were also reminded that there may be no paychecks at all next year. There is a possibility of a lockout in 2011 if management and the players’ union don’t reach a new collective bargaining agreement.
Jason Alderman, Visa’s senior director of financial education, said the highlight of the sessions came when they played “Financial Football,” a program the company uses to make financial literacy lessons more engaging.
But the fun had a serious message. “It doesn’t matter how much money you make or how talented you are,” said Alderman, “if you don’t manage your money wisely, you can run into the same trouble as anybody else.”
Visa, an NFL sponsor since 1995, hopes that if NFL players spread the message about financial literacy, that will pique the interest of fans as well.
“When I was a kid I looked up to professional athletes,” Brees said. “I think that we as professional athletes have to understand that we’re all role models, whether we like it or not.”
Keith Fitzhugh Turns Down An NFL Contract To Be A Train Conductor
In today’s economy a job is a great thing to have. Even though Keith Fitzhugh has always dreamed of playing in the NFL he made the wise choice of choosing job security over his NFL dreams by turning down the New York Jets for his train conductor’s job. He chose to take care of his family, as his father is disabled and his family depends on his salary.
Fitzhugh, who was a star safety at Mississippi State, he has tried out for the Jets each of the last two years, however each time he was cut before the season began. Recently the Jets lost starting safety Jim Leonhard for the season and his backup was injured in Monday nights game against the Patriots, the team’s director of pro personnel, Brendan Prophett, called up Fitzhugh.
Fitzhugh, who now works as a conductor for Norfolk Southern railroad outside Atlanta, turned the dream offer down, when he knows the Jets may have a shot at the Super Bowl
“I know I haven’t won a Super Bowl; it would be a once-in-a-lifetime chance,” Fitzhugh told the newspaper by phone from Georgia. “But you only get one mom and one dad. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance. I’d rather be there for my mom and dad than go for a Super Bowl chance.”
Bills owner Wilson donates $1 million to adult care
The Kaleida Health Foundation today announced a $1 million donation by Ralph and Mary Wilson through the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation to support adult day care and home care in Western New York.
Mary Wilson was on hand to present the gift from the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation to James R. Kaskie, president and CEO of Kaleida Health, at the DeGraff Memorial Hospital Adult Day Care Center in North Tonawanda.
“On behalf of all of the patients we serve, I want to thank the Wilson’s for their generosity,” said James R. Kaskie, the president and CEO of Kaleida Health. “Their compassion and caring will directly impact our adult day care patients as well as those we serve in home care.”
The funding will be used to subsidize the cost of attendance and transportation to the adult day care program. It will also provide funding for programmatic activities and much needed capital purchases such as equipment and supplies. Kaleida Health operates two adult day care centers, in Amherst and North Tonawanda.
The Wilson’s donation will also assist Kaleida Health’s home care program, the Visiting Nursing Association. The donation will support the patient and caregiver in their home in a variety of ways including the purchasing of “mediplanners,” or medication management tools, personal emergency response systems, telehealth monitoring services, plus home safety and falls risk education and programming.
“It is an honor to support Kaleida Health and the tremendous work it does to provide care for the residents of the Buffalo-Niagara region,” said Ralph Wilson. We hope to make a positive impact on the quality of people’s lives, today, particularly during a time of so much need. Kaleida gives us this opportunity and we look forward to a great partnership with them.”
Frostee Rucker & The Frostee Challenge
Bengals DE Frostee Rucker with the help of Jock Biz hosted two bus loads of students (70 kids) at Paul Brown Stadium for a tour of the facility and lunch on the field. This was a reward for the students for winning Frostees Challenge, a clothing drive to support the Salvation Army. The students at Oak Hills High School collected over of 26,000 items of clothes in two weeks. 112 homerooms competed in the challenge. This is the second clothing drive that Frostee has hosted for the Salvation Army.
The Jockgive Mission:JockGive is dedicated to improving local communities by leveraging the tradition of American sport and the unparalleled capacity today’s athlete and sport organization has to considerably affect change in all facets of society. For information contact Jock Biz at (513) 368-0874 or john@jockbiz.com
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