Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Calais Campbell hasn’t played for the Arizona Cardinals for the last three years but he is still fondly remembered as a player and a person. The former teammate of Larry Fitzgerald now is a brother in a small fraternity of NFL players.
Campbell was named the 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
Fitzgerald won the award in 2016 with Eli Manning.
Campbell twice was the Cardinals’ choice for the award in 2011 and 2014.
The award honors players for their excellence both on and off the field, especially for their work in the community.
This is what Campbell has done, per the NFL’s press release.
In 2009, Campbell formed the CRC Foundation alongside his mother Natea and has engaged in numerous charitable initiatives throughout his 12-year NFL career. The CRC Foundation, which is named for his late father, Charles, who passed away in 2003, is committed to the enhancement of the community through the teaching of critical life skills to young people. Through sports, creative talents, vocational skills, financial skills and quality health and nutrition, the CRC Foundation is dedicated to developing young people into empowered and self-aware leaders for the future.
This season, Campbell started Season of Giving, a fundraising campaign based on his on-field performance. Campbell pledged a specific dollar amount for several metrics: $1,000 for a Jaguars win, $5,00 for a sack, $2500 for half of sack, $2000 for a tackle for loss and $10,00 for a blocked kick/turnover. The CRC Foundation chose four deserving charities as part of his Season of Giving, with funds going to Feeding Northeast Florida in September, the Clara White Mission in October, the Wounded Warrior Project in November and United Way in December. Prior to the return to his hometown when the Jaguars faced the Broncos on Sept. 29, 2019, Calais donated an additional $5,000 each to several Denver-based charities: the Beckwourth Outdoor Education, Denver Police Athletic League, Hiawatha Davis Rec Center and the Rose Andom Center.
Campbell was the 2018 recipient of the Bart Starr Award, given annually to the NFL player who exemplifies character and leadership on and off the field and the winner of the 2015 Pop Warner Humanitarian Award. He annually hosts Christmas with Calais, a holiday shopping spree for local kids who have completed extra lessons in financial literacy and donates meals during Thanksgiving to families in need. Campbell has also dedicated time and resources to the Ronald McDonald House, the benefactor of his foundation’s bowling event in 2018.
In the spring of 2018, Campbell hosted a coding camp alongside Microsoft and the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Florida, providing 25 kids with the chance to learn more about career opportunities in technology. In June 2019, he welcomed 250 kids at the Calais Campbell JaxPAL Youth Football and STEM Camp, combining his football acumen and interest in mentoring today’s youth through education. Campbell has also made semi-weekly visits to Northwestern Middle School as part of his CRC Book Club, fostering a reading-friendly community at an underperforming school in Downtown Jacksonville. Additionally, he makes appearances at colleges and high schools around Northeast Florida, to offer encouragement to students and have open conversations about social justice issues.
Campbell will receive a donation of $250,000, which will go to a charity of his choice. All other 31 nominees will receive a donation of up to $50,000 in their name to their charity of choice. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide.
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Ep. 256
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Ep. 255
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