This week in NFL Do-Goodery: Josh Norman, Akiem Hicks, Gareon Conley
When we first started this feature two months ago it was in many ways a rebuttal to the backlash players received in conjunction with the still brewing issue of protesting societal inequality during the playing of the national anthem. Now that the debate has been tabled and Eric Reid has reentered the league, protested and we’re all still here, this is no longer a feature rooted in proving the altruism of NFL players. It is simply a calm, heartwarming celebration and appreciation.
On to this week’s list and as always if you know of a do-gooder we missed or would like to point out a future act of kindness for this article, please reach out of Twitter.
Redskins CB Josh Norman donated $50,000 to Horry County Schools in South Carolina to aid recovery from Hurricane Florence. Norman is an alum of the region’s Coastal Carolina University, and was honored earlier this year by the school with an honorary doctorate in public service “for everything he’s done for the underprivileged, for hurricane victims, for youth.”
Bears DT Akiem Hicks, in collaboration with Volunteers of America, surprised students at Nicholson STEM Academy with backpacks stuffed with school supplies for their first day of school. It’s an event Hicks has hosted for six years all with the idea that preparedness will breed success. “If you go into class, and you have your syllabus and you have your pen and paper and you’re ready, I feel like you have a great chance to be successful.”
Raiders CB Gareon Conley spent his bye week donating 100 winter coats, 100 pairs of gloves and 100 hates to Refuge of Hope in Canton, Ohio, an organization that provides shelter and other services to homeless men. Conley was born in Ohio and attended Ohio State University.
As part of FootballUnites, current Dolphins players like CB Xavien Howard and LB Stephen Anthony spent their off-day with former Dolphins and local middle school students to pack meals for those in need at Feeding South Florida.
The Buffalo Bills held their Community Outreach Tuesday this week as the team spent the afternoon at various organizations throughout the area. This included visiting with youth at The Belle Center, Matt Urban Hope Center, Boys & Girls Club Butler-Mitchell Clubhouse and the Police Athletic League at Delavan-Grider Community Center.
NFL players DE Darryl Tapp and S Don Carey joined the fundraising and volunteer efforts of The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and Eastern Shore’s #TackleHunger757 campaign. Tapp and Carey, both natives of the area, donated a collective $20,000 toward a $200,000 goal to aid the 41,000 children in the area that are considered food insecure.
Broncos WRs Demaryius Thomas and Courtland Sutton spent an afternoon holding a special recess and making memories for kids at Greenwood Academy.
