New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson was recently recognized for her humanitarian efforts to support the community:
New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson is well-known for her contributions to the New Orleans community, and her efforts have not gone unrecognized.
And one of the latest honors she received came from prominent NFL agent Leigh Steinberg, who recently pinned her as his winner of the 2025 Humanitarian Award.
“She has been a champion of community and charity in the New Orleans area,” Steinberg wrote on social media. “We give these awards to highlight the philanthropic activities of figures in the world of the NFL.”
Benson has been honored with a multitude of awards as of late, including when she was recognized by the Catholic Near East Welfare Association for her commitment the Catholicism, in addition to her “outstanding contributions to the promotion of human dignity.”
She was presented with the CNEWA’s Faith & Culture Award at a gala in New York on Dec. 9.
She also stood tall with the community after the tragic terrorist attack on the city ahead of the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day, coordinating $1 million in donations to support the relief efforts of the victims while also installing empowerment in the city’s people.
“Our community has experienced an unimaginable tragedy and our collective hearts are broken as we mourn for the victims and survivors on the New Year’s Day terror attack in New Orleans,” Benson said in a statement from the team. “As a league, our cities and teams compete at the highest levels of competition and share spirited rivalries. Our staffs and players work tirelessly towards achieving our goals and we share in victories and defeats. However, through football we are also united and we stand arm-in-arm against all forms of hatred.
“We will vanquish terror and fear with an unwavering resolve and purpose rooted in love, compassion and kindness. Our focus has always been on providing aid quickly and effectively, and we are grateful for the collaboration with both the Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF) and United Way to ensure that these funds reach those who need them most.”
Benson will continue her efforts as one of the NFL’s most beloved owners heading through 2025.
Cameron Jordan donated $25,000 to the New Year’s Day Tragedy Fund, here’s how you can help support victims and their families:
I am joining @GNOFoundation and the @CityOfNOLA by donating $25,000 to the New Year’s Day Tragedy Fund to support victims of the attack. Please consider donating to assist the families of those who lost their lives and those who were severely injured.
Cameron Jordan has always been a good example for how New Orleans Saints players can be a positive influence in the community, and he’s stepping up again in the wake of the Bourbon Street terror attack.
Jordan announced that he has joined the Greater New Orleans Foundation and the City of New Orleans to donate $25,000 to the New Year’s Day Tragedy Fund, intended to “assist the families of those who lost their lives and those who were severely injured.”
He encouraged fans to donate to those impacted. A gunman drove a pickup down the crowded street of revelers celebrating the new year, killing 15 people and sending dozens more to the hospital with injuries, before he died in a shootout with police. Many victims are still recovering and their families and loved ones need support. It’s good to see Jordan leading the charge like this.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr was named Week 17 NFLPA Community MVP for his charitable efforts:
Saints QB Derek Carr is the Week 17 NFLPA Community MVP for giving nine local families bags of gifts and $5,000 each in cash during a special holiday luncheon. pic.twitter.com/9X4Vfqth7c
Here’s some good work from Derek Carr — the New Orleans Saints quarterback was recognized as the NFLPA’s Week 17 Community MVP for his charitable efforts.
In the spirit of the season, Carr and his wife Heather gifted nine local families with Christmas gifts and $5,000 each at a special holiday luncheon. It’s good to see them giving back to the community and working to make a positive impact.
Here’s more from the NFLPA on the award:
In recognition, each week during the regular season, the NFLPA #CommunityMVP program honors one player who has made a positive impact in his hometown or team city.
For being named Community MVP, the NFLPA will make a $10,000 donation to the player’s foundation or charity of choice so that they can continue to make a difference.
Previous weekly winners have included Darius Slayton (New York Giants), Camryn Bynum (Minnesota Vikings), and Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears), who you can read more about here.
“The main thing is right now is to finish the season off strong the right way,” Broncos CB Pat Surtain said ahead of Thursday’s game.
Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain spoke on the team’s winning record and how head coach Sean Payton is preparing them for a playoff push at a charity event on Monday.
During his time with media, Surtain was asked how it felt to have the first winning season of his career with the team.
“(It) means a lot,” Surtain said. “Obviously, we fell short these past couple of years, but it happens. Winning records and having these contagious energy, it honestly means something, right? Because I’ve been talking about the organization that has been through it the past few years, but now we starting to get that winning attitude, that winning demeanor. So having that culture represented in the Broncos organization means a lot.”
With the playoffs just one win away, Surtain and the Broncos can taste the postseason. Head coach Sean Payton knows well how a playoff push can affect a team.
“(Coach Payton is) preparing us very well,” said Surtain. “He understands what it takes to get there, so we just taking it on and following his approach. So yeah, we taking it day by day, week by week, and obviously we got big goals ahead of us. But, the main thing is right now is to finish the season off strong the right way, so we could allow ourselves to get to that mark.”
Surtain and the Broncos look to secure their spot in the playoffs with a win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night.
“It’s a unique treasure to give back,” Broncos CB Pat Surtain said at his charity event on Monday, giving away 100 bikes to kids in Aurora.
Denver Broncos cornerback and potential Defensive Player of the Year candidate Pat Surtain gave a positive update on the condition of his injured ankle at a charity event on Monday.
“It’s better,” Surtain said. “I’m taking it day-by-day, that’s about it.”
Surtain injured his ankle in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Reports have indicated it’s a minor sprain, and Surtain was listed as a full participant on the Broncos’ estimated Monday injury report.
Surtain teamed up with Raising Cane’s and A Precious Child to give away 100 bicycles to children in Aurora, Colorado on Monday. This was the fifth annual giveaway, and this year 2,500 bikes were given away at 25 locations across the U.S.
“It’s always a great experience to give back to those who are less fortunate,” Surtain said. “It shows true character to give back. Denver shows great support to me, so I’ve got to show great support back in a meaningful way. … Just seeing the kids’ smile on their faces, it’s a unique treasure to give back. Because I understand how much this means to them.”
Surtain took time to take pictures and interact with fans and recipients at the event. He will now turn attention toward preparing for a Thursday Night Football showdown with the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 19.
Cleveland Browns offensive guard Michael Dunn’s cleats will highlight the Chron’s and Colitis Foundation as part of the NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats
On Monday night, Cleveland Browns guard Michael Dunn’s first steps on the field against the Denver Broncos will be special for the veteran.
Dunn’s cleats will adorn the Chron’s and Colitis Foundation as part of the NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats. The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding cures for Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.
Dunn was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the start of the season. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes ulcers and inflammation across the digestive tract. Dunn battled the symptoms during training camp.
Dunn lost thirty pounds in training camp as he competed through the grueling summer workouts while struggling to eat and refuel. Dunn relied on intravenous therapy to rehydrate throughout camp.
After the team returned from the Greenbrier, the training staff eventually got Dunn to the hospital. Dunn was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at University Hospital. He stayed there for four days at the hospital with his wife learning about the autoimmune disease and how to manage it. The couple discovered the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation during their stay.
Dunn started the season on the NFL’s reserve/non-football illness as he started to manage his illness. Dunn returned to the team in October and has seen plenty of action. The utility lineman has started two games and played all seven since his return.
Check out what other cleats Browns players will wear for My Cause My Cleats.
Golfweek has learned that the players and captains received a “stipend” that they can do with as they please.
MONTREAL – Money makes the world go round. Over the past few years, we’ve seen all too well how greed is harming golf. It’s infiltrated the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup too, team events where there is no purse.
Golfweek has learned that the 24 players and nine captains who participated in the Presidents Cup last month received a “stipend” of $250,000 that they can do with as they please. That is a departure from previous decades when the competitors were not paid for their participation, but each competitor allocated an equal portion of the funds generated to charities of his choice.
“As part of the Tour’s overall total compensation program, distributions for the Presidents Cup have been adjusted to reflect the changing landscape of charitable giving, allowing players and captains the flexibility to support their respective foundations or personal charitable priorities,” the Tour said in a statement to Golfweek.
According to the Tour, $56.4 million has been donated from event proceeds since the inception of the Presidents Cup in 1994, including a guarantee of at least $1 million to the host site (since 2022). That’s nothing to sneeze at but in past years, the PGA Tour proudly boasted of the charitable contributions made by the players. As recently as 2019, the event media guide listed the charity and donation amount given by each individual player dating to 1994 – including how Tiger Woods gave to the Tiger Woods Learning Center and later simply to the Tiger Woods Foundation, Mike Weir to the Notah Begay Foundation, Fred Couples to the Frank Sinatra Foundation, Ernie Els to Els for Autism, Webb Simpson and Bill Haas to Wake Forest Athletics and Justin Thomas, Jimmy Walker and Patrick Reed among players who gave to the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA).
When I couldn’t find that information readily available this time, I inquired with the media relations staff thinking it would make a nice story – how about that Scottie Scheffler, what a swell guy he is. Turned out I stumbled on a bigger story in that Presidents Cup team members – including captains and assistant captains – no longer are mandated to make a charitable donation (although those spoken to by Golfweek claimed they still would do so).
Prior to 2022, each player, captain and captain’s assistant received $150,000 to give to a charity/charities of their choice. Starting in 2022, players and captains receive $250,000 of which they are able to use as they see fit and are not required to disclose how or where they direct the funds. According to multiple members of Team USA, this decision was made to unburden the Tour from having to coordinate and reimburse all of the travel expenses for the support teams – coaches, trainers, family, etc. – and put the onus back on the player to make the arrangements out of their stipend. But that stipend has grown to $250,000, equal to top 10 money at the Zozo Championship last week or the same as No. 31 (Brian Harman) received in FedEx Cup bonus money. An extra $100K should cover expenses and leave a good chunk of change to give more to charity.
Does this change have anything to do with the threat of LIV Golf and players having more leverage? The timing of the change – ahead of the 2022 Presidents Cup and during the rise of LIV Golf – fits the timeline of when the top pros received a number of concessions initiated to retain their loyalty –and this likely was an easy one to be rubber stamped by senior management without reaching the board level. Adding to the suspicion: It was a change that went unspoken.
The PGA Tour didn’t provide answers to a handful of specific questions but did send a statement. Over the past 25 years, the Presidents Cup has impacted more than 475 charities in 18 countries worldwide. With many of the Tour players choosing to support charities in their local communities, the Tour promised to give back a certain amount to the local community.
“The charitable mission of the Presidents Cup remains unchanged,” the Tour said in a written statement. “The current charitable distribution plan guarantees a lasting impact in the host city or region of at least $1 million,” said Matt Rapp, the Tour’s Senior Vice President, Championship Management, which runs the Presidents Cup among several prominent Tour events.
In 2022, the Presidents Cup totaled an overall charitable contribution of $2 million with the majority directed to local Charlotte-based non-profit organizations, highlighted by $575,000 towards the Charlotte Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative (MREI). (The Presidents Cup earlier this year made a charitable donation of $100,000 to the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation.)
The statement continued: “As part of the Tour’s overall total compensation program, distributions for the Presidents Cup have been adjusted to reflect the changing landscape of charitable giving, allowing players and captains the flexibility to support their respective foundations or personal charitable priorities.”
Team USA celebrates on the 18th green after clinching the 2022 Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports)
Left unclear is who initiated this increase from $150,000 to $250,000 and the change to a stipend where the players technically don’t have to give any of it to charity. Are sponsors such as Cognizant and Rolex aware that it is no longer a requirement for each competitor to allocate an equal portion of the funds generated to charities of his choice? And what impact will this change have on the Ryder Cup? At the Presidents Cup, Golf.com’s Nick Piastkowski asked several players during their allotted press conference whether players should be compensated for their participation in the biennial events.
“That question is a bit of a grenade, to be honest,” Xander Schauffele said. “I think there’s no place for a player to talk about prize money in this sort of event. That’s for other people to decide. Our preference is our preference. We’re here and we’re happy to play amongst each other and represent our country.
“It’s such a hot topic, but I think it’s pretty brutal to ask any player that because there’s no right answer a player can give you.”
“I don’t know. I haven’t really spent much time thinking about it,” Max Homa said. “I could play devil’s advocate to both. One, like these events make a ton of money and we are on TV playing the golf. But on the other side of the coin, I think we have been given so much as professional golfers and to get to do this is about as fun as you’ll ever have. So to do it for free is also fine.
“I get everyone’s point of view. I don’t think it should ever really be a hot-button topic. I don’t think it’s the end of the world either way. I get why there’s — why it can become a talking point. I just don’t think that it’s a massive issue either way.”
It certainly became a hot-button topic at the most recent Ryder Cup. For Rome, which hosted in 2023, U.S. players received $200,000 to donate to charities of their choice. With prices skyrocketing for tickets to $750 on the weekend at Bethpage Black for the 2025 edition, it begs the question of what does that mean for the player’s cut? A PGA of America official said that it is “currently reviewing that program and an announcement would be made before the beginning of the year.”
During the PGA of America Surprise and Delight at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on April 13, 2024 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Golfweek has learned that the figure is expected to rise and at least match and possibly top the amount given to players in the Presidents Cup. In addition, sources say that the amount will become a stipend as well rather than a direct payment to a charity of the player’s choice. The play-for-pay debate heated up at last year’s Ryder Cup when it was reported that Patrick Cantlay refused to wear a Team USA hat in protest. Cantlay has repeatedly stated that this had nothing to do with him playing hatless and that he is proud to represent his country and pour all of his energy into winning points for his team.
Schauffele’s father, Stefan, was the most outspoken in addressing these growing concerns that while it is a romantic notion that these team competitions have no purse and the players are playing for country and pride, there’s a competing sense of the players being exploited as the events have become enormous cash cows for the non-profit associations.
“If they make profit off this and finance their organization of almost 29,000 [PGA of America] members for four years with the proceeds earned on the backs of these guys here, well, then they should share or they shouldn’t be allowed to do that,” Stefan told reporters in Rome.
The Ryder Cup charitable contributions began 25 years ago after a player protest became public at the 1999 British Open. After much debate about how the Ryder Cup profits were disbursed, players received $100,000. Several prominent American players, including Mark O’Meara and Payne Stewart, indicated they had concerns about what was happening to the millions of dollars generated by an event that has become a fifth major championship. O’Meara argued that players should be paid more than what was a $5,000 travel stipend at the time for the event.
In an Aug. 11, 1999 story in the Washington Post, Tiger Woods said: “I would like to see us receive whatever the amount is, whether it’s $200,000, $300,000, $400,000, $500,000 and I think we should be able to keep the money and do whatever we see fit. I personally would donate all of it to charity. With all the money that’s being made, we should have a say in where it goes.”
Tiger Woods tees off on the third hole during the Day 1 at the Presidents Cup.
Woods, who is now on the Tour’s board of directors and was the captain of the 2019 Presidents Cup team (and certainly in line to be Ryder Cup whenever he sees fit), is finally getting what he always wanted.
Commenting on their Presidents Cup stipends, several competitors gave details of their current contributions and future intentions. U.S. team member Tony Finau said he would still be designating his stipend to charity through the Tony Finau Foundation. “Almost all of it minus my expenses to get there,” he said. Finau’s foundation improves the lives of inner city kids in Salt Lake City. Finau, who is an advocate for literacy, said proceeds from being a member of the U.S. side at five of the last six Cups helped his foundation fund the opening of a literacy center in August and hire a teacher who is offering ESL classes.
Stewart Cink, who served as a U.S. assistant captain, said his foundation splits its financial giving between a neo-natal intensive care unit and breast cancer center in Gwinnett County, a suburb of Atlanta where he lives, and a ministry.
“We’re in it for babies and mamas,” he said. “To be a part of something like this and know it’s a charity event and in the end the winners are the communities and Montreal. It just reinforces how great a game golf is.”
Patrick Cantlay has made junior golf in Southern California one of his foundation’s top priority, underwriting four elite tournaments including a finale at Virginia Country Club, where he grew up. He also supports college scholarships via the First Responders Children Foundation.
Jason Day said he would give 100 percent of his stipend to Brighter Days Foundation, the foundation he started with his wife, Ellie, which benefits the likes of Habitat for Humanity, Blessings in a Backpack and the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. Only South Korean Tom Kim said he didn’t have a specific charity he supported.
Is it still accurate to say that players aren’t paid to participate in the team competitions? That’s more of a gray area than ever but 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley may have provided the truest comment of all.
“Whether it was for a lot of money or no money, we would show up,” he said.
When a Cook County school employee was convicted of a $1.5m chicken wing theft, #Chiefs DT Chris Jones offered to pay for the missing poultry
Charity is commonly seen in NFL players looking to impact their community and the world overall using funds and notoriety earned from their pro-level gameplay.
This is perhaps a more interesting example of generosity, however, because Kansas City Chiefs tackle Chris Jones has volunteered to cover the $1.5 million in chicken wings that were stolen from Harvey School District 152 in Illinois by then-employee Vera Lidell.
Jones posted this tweet, revealing that he appears to be serious about ensuring that the elder school district worker who diverted food she ordered for the school to her home is forgiven for the scheme where she was able to make off with 11,000 cases of chicken wings between 2020 and 2022.
Lidell has already been convicted of the theft and was sentenced to a 9-year prison term, so it will be interesting to see how this arrangement could potentially lead to her release if Jones does put up the $1.5 million sum to cover the missing chicken wings.
Falcons RB Bijan Robinson donated $300K to Mobile Loaves & Fishes to help fight homelessness
Before the Atlanta Falcons shocked the NFL by drafting quarterback Michael Penix Jr., they caused a similar uproar by selecting running back Bijan Robinson in 2023.
However, it didn’t take Robinson long to prove he was worthy of the No. 8 pick. The rookie led the team with 1.400 all-purpose yards last season, but he’s making a bigger impact off the field.
Robinson donated $300,000 to Mobile Loaves & Fishes, an organization that helps fight homelessness in Austin, Texas:
Robinson’s donation will help 370 people experiencing homelessness in Austin, according to the NFLPA’s Twitter account
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson donated $300,000 to Mobile Loaves & Fishes to support Community First! Village in Austin, Texas. This helps provide housing and support for those formerly experiencing homelessness. #CommunityMVPpic.twitter.com/euys8e3uFU
Hall of Fame WR Tim Brown sat down with our @EdEastonJr to discuss his record-setting punt return against the #Chiefs in 2001.
The AFC West is again stacked this season, with the other three teams trying to end the Kansas City Chiefs’ dominant run. The Las Vegas Raiders officially hired Antonio Pierce as their head coach after an impressive interim run, highlighted by the Christmas Day victory in Kansas City.
Retired Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown will compete in the third annual Invited Celebrity Classic on April 19-21 at Las Colinas Country Club in Irving, Texas. PGA TOUR Champions professionals will play 54 holes of stroke play for a purse of $2 million with the celebrities in a $500,000 competition.
Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. sat down with Brown to discuss this golf game, record-breaking punt return against the Chiefs, and the Raiders hiring Antonio Pierce.
“You would think I have many opportunities to play that course,” said Brown, a Texas native, of his experience playing at Las Colinas. “There is just something about it: when it becomes an official event, it seems like the course changes on you or something. There’s a couple of little places I know that maybe some of the guys won’t know, but I guess it doesn’t matter if you can hit the ball good.”
Brown was known for his versatility as a returner and receiver early in his NFL career but didn’t expect at 35 to be setting a record for his age returning a punt for a touchdown. The infamous play took place at the Chiefs’ expense in 2001.
“I remember not wanting to be back there; I think I started seventh on the depth chart that year. And I saw guys week after week falling, everybody’s going down, and finally (Jon) Gruden came to me and said, ‘Hey, man, I’m gonna need you to go back there and don’t worry about it, just try and catch I need somebody that I could trust to be back there to catch the ball. And I was like, okay; I got you, coach. No problem. So, that was my plan to just fair catch it, and i did fair catch it. Randy Jordan came back yelling and screaming at me, ‘You better return this ball!’ I say, Randy, if anybody touches me, me and you gonna be fighting. So I went 89 yards untouched; me and Randy Jordan are still friends today because of that play. I tell people at that stage of my career, becoming the oldest man in the league’s history to return a punt for a touchdown. I think it’s sort of put me in a different light than just being a receiver. I think that certainly helped. It didn’t help me be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but certainly, I think people had to consider that when they were looking at my Hall of Fame numbers.”
Brown last played for the Raiders over 20 years ago but has maintained his watch over the current team. He shared his thoughts on new head coach Antonio Pierce and his outspoken confidence in matchups against Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“I was saying during the year when he took over, if they like it, I love it, and it seems like the boys love it. They’re feeding off his energy to play hard and tough football; it doesn’t mean they gonna win every football game. There’s nothing like seeing the team compete right down to the last second. I think even in the games they lost, you saw that happen. You saw them compete like nobody’s business, and that’s what this thing is all about. You want to see the team is getting better. The team is working hard. They’re laying it on the line, so those things mean a lot to a fan base. Obviously, it meant a lot to Mark Davis for him to retain AP (Antonio Pierce). I think the future’s bright; I don’t have a problem with him at all. I think he probably thinks he has a secret that he did go to Kansas City and beat Kansas City on Christmas Day. So Talk That Talk, brother, just back it up. I’m all good with it.”
The Invited Celebrity Classic is free for the public and has raised $500,000 for charity these past two years. Top celebrity athletes committed are Tony Romo, Albert Pujols, John Smoltz, Adam Thielen, Pudge Rodriguez, Greg Maddux and more.
