Tag: community

WATCH: Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes surprises young fan with Super Bowl tickets

#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes surprised a young fan with Super Bowl tickets in a video posted to social media channels this week.

The Christmas holiday may be over, but Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes kept on giving this week when he surprised a young fan named Issac Murdock with tickets to Super Bowl LVIII.

Murdock was at the Chiefs’ facility in Kansas City for what he thought would be a routine interview about his thoughts on the reigning MVP quarterback. Midway through the interview, Mahomes walked in and presented the tickets to Murdock, creating a memory that is sure to last a lifetime.

Check out the video of Murdock’s surprise visit from Mahomes below:

Gestures like this tug at the heartstrings of fans across the country, and are a key part of what makes professional sports so special to so many people.

Mahomes and the Chiefs are known for their involvement in the Kansas City community, and this remarkable gift is yet another symbol of their commitment to making the world a better place.

Denver Broncos Foundation awards grants to eight nonprofits with Inspire Change initiative

The Denver Broncos Foundation announced grants to eight nonprofits that will positively impact an estimated 800 justice-involved youth.

The Denver Broncos are stuck in neutral with a 7-7 record with three games left in the 2023 NFL season, but the organization continues to make progress off the field.

The Denver Broncos Foundation recently announced grants to eight nonprofits that will positively impact an estimated 800 justice-involved youth through the team’s Inspire Change outreach this season.

The eight foundations the Broncos will support goes as follows:

1. Cafe Momentum

2. Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC)

3. Mile High United Way’s

4. Seeing Our Adolescents Rise (SOAR)

5. Sims-Fayola Foundation

6. The Urban Farm (TUF)

7. WellPower

8. YouthZone

The Broncos’ intent is to focus on supporting at-risk and justice-involved youth with different services. The services focuses on helping limit the negative impact of the juvenile justice system and its pitfalls.

This year, the Broncos have made an impact off the field, donating $1 million to Cafe Momentum earlier this season and sponsored training for two K9 service dogs. So while Denver has made noise on the field, they are doing the same off the field, too.

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Broncos CB Pat Surtain named NFLPA Community MVP for Week 14

The Broncos cornerback recently gave two high schools a total of $100,000 to build two state-of-the-art STEAM rooms.

The NFLPA announced Denver Broncos’ Patrick Surtain as the Week 14 Community MVP on Friday.

The Broncos cornerback recently donated a total of $100,000 to two Title 1 schools to build Inspiration STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) rooms through his foundation, the Patrick Surtain II Foundation. According to the foundation’s Facebook page, its purpose is to “level the playing field for students in financially disadvantaged communities.” In October, Surtain held an open forum for schools to pitch how they would incorporate these rooms into their curriculums.

George Washington and Manual High Schools are the two institutions that will benefit from these new rooms, which, according to the NFLPA, will feature wall graphics, robotics, music recording equipment, coding software and other equipment to help promote the best STEAM-learning experience.

The weekly award comes on the heels of Denver left tackle Garett Bolles receiving the team’s nomination for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. The Broncos continue to be a powerful force for good in the Colorado community at large.

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Broncos sponsor training for two ‘K9s for Warriors’ service dogs

The Broncos will sponsor the training of Bucky and Thunder, K9s For Warriors service dogs who will be paired with a veteran in need.

The Denver Broncos will sponsor the training of two service dogs in partnership with the K9s For Warriors organization. Spearheaded by Broncos owner Carrie Walton Penner and head coach Sean Payton, the sponsorship of the two dogs will help retired military veterans. The sponsored dogs are two 11-month-old black Labrador brothers named Bucky and Thunder.

Allie Engelken, the Broncos Vice President of Community Impact, stated how exciting this partnership will be.

“Through the leadership and support of Owner and Foundation Board Chair Carrie Walton Penner and Head Coach Sean Payton, we are excited to sponsor the training of Bucky and Thunder,” Engelken said in a press release.

“Affectionately named after two iconic Denver mascots, we are excited to see them grow into passionate and hard-working service dogs that will create a lasting impact on a Colorado veteran’s life.”

K9s For Warriors is a nonprofit organization that is committed to helping end veteran suicide while providing highly trained service dogs to military veterans who have PTSD and traumatic brain injury. Congrats to the Broncos for landing this partnership.

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Denver Broncos Foundation donates $1 million to Café Momentum

The Broncos donated $1 million to Café Momentum, a restaurant and culinary training facility that hires youth exiting juvenile detention.

The Denver Broncos Foundation just took a huge step in terms of helping the social climate for our youth. Earlier this week, the Foundation donated $1 million to Café Momentum, an award-winning restaurant and culinary training facility.

Café Momentum makes an effort to hire youth exiting juvenile detention and employs them as paid interns. In this internship, the youth have the opportunity to run all aspects of the business.

“We are thrilled to announce this strategic partnership with Café Momentum in an effort to comprehensively serve justice-involved youth in the Metro Denver Area,” Denver Broncos Foundation Executive Director Allie Engelken said in a statement.

“With the dedicated support of Owner and Board Chair Carrie Walton Penner, the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group and entire board of directors, the Foundation is committed to deepening educational and economic opportunities and pathways for all youth beyond high school.”

With the donation, this will help Café Momentum provide more services including case management, education, mental health and workforce development. Congrats to all parties involved in this partnership.

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Marquez Valdes-Scantling explains his deep-threat ability, connection to Kansas City community

Chiefs WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling explains his deep-threat ability and the Kansas City community

The careers of most NFL players don’t have substantial longevity for various reasons. The common factor is the game plan and fitting into the team’s system, as the Kansas City Chiefs, like many other teams, seek players who can adjust efficiently.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. recently sat down with wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, courtesy of Charmin Ultra Soft Smooth Tear, to discuss his career impact as a deep threat in the offense and appreciation for the Kansas City community.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s pretty easy when the Hall of Fame quarterbacks (Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes) are throwing you the ball,” Valdes-Scantling explained. “But, you know, I said, I have a unique skill set where I’m six-five and can also run really well. And that’s a massive problem for a lot of a lot of defenses. And then obviously, we have quarterbacks like I’ve had, and other talents, like Davante (Adams), or Travis (Kelce) next to me.

“We can all work hand in hand together, so that I can spread the defense out and, let those guys catch the passes underneath. And then if they decide to come up and try to stop those guys, from catching the passes underneath. I can get behind the defense. I’ve been able to make the most of that throughout my six years.”

The veteran receiver and leader of the group for the Chiefs has stepped up off the field as well. He has embraced the Kansas City community after one season on the team with charitable events.

“It’s been great. This community is super supportive, man. I have my first annual softball game, and we saw that stadium out, you know; I wasn’t expecting that for a first-time event,” Valdes-Scantling said. “Having a teammate there to support me and then having all those great fans to be there, and I did an appearance down in Wichita, which is about three hours away from Kansas City, for the basketball game, and we feel that right now, too. They were there just for me, and so it’s just been crazy to see the support these fans show us players. That’s why we want to give it back as much as we can, so anytime I’m out, I try to take pictures with people or whatever I can to show my gratitude for this community.”

Valdes-Scantling’s softball game and appearance at the Wichita Sky Kings semipro basketball game during the offseason provided many to see the Super Bowl champion as he stayed and signed autographs for fans.

Chiefs S Justin Reid shows appreciation for Kansas City after missing wallet is returned

#Chiefs S Justin Reid shows appreciation for Kansas City after missing wallet is returned | from: @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs are visiting the Meadowlands in New Jersey for Sunday night’s matchup with the New York Jets. One of their starters on defense will be traveling with less stress on his mind after a good samaritan assisted personally.

Chiefs safety Justin Reid is feeling relief as his missing wallet was returned on Friday by a local fan in Kansas City. The wallet was returned, with a note from the fan saying that their daughter Heidi was happy to have found it. Reid thanked the little girl via social media with a photo of her personalized letter.

“The folks here in Kansas City are amazing,” Reid said in a post on Twitter. “I lost my wallet last week (you guys know the feeling) and was this close to canceling and reordering the cards before I got the message that it was found. Thank you Heidi!”

Reid should have a clearer mind heading into Week 4, and it’s all thanks to the Kansas City community.

Anthony Walker Jr. judged recent Small Business Impact Showcase for Cleveland entrepreneurs

#Browns linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. judged a recent “Shark Tank” style event for Cleveland entrepeneurs

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Cleveland Browns linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. is known for his heady play on the gridiron but leveraged his one-of-a-kind mind to serve as a judge in a local small business showcase in the Sixth City.

The “Shark Tank” style event drew in entrepreneurs from across Northeast Ohio and was sponsored by Cleveland-based consulting firm Jumpstart, which helps small businesses get off the ground by providing capital and resources to high-potential startups.

“I think I was more nervous than everyone that presented,” Walker said of the experience. “It’s another opportunity to be a part of the community, and being here, I can learn something myself. I have my own business where it could possibly help me, and to have this opportunity is very unique. I always loved watching ‘Shark Tank,’ so this is a great opportunity for (the business owners).”

Each of the participants who pitched to Walker and the panel of judges was awarded $2,500 for their efforts, and the winner of the event took home $10,000 to help start their business endeavors.

Ravens host annual ‘Play Like A Raven Football Clinic’

The Ravens will host their annual “Play Like A Raven Football Clinic” on Saturday, April 15th for youth in the Baltimore area

The Baltimore Ravens have always been an active member of the community in the Charm City and will continue their annual tradition of hosting the “Play Like A Raven Football Clinic” on Saturday, April 15th.

The clinic, which is slated to feature appearances from wide receiver Shemar Bridges, quarterback Anthony Brown, and defensive lineman Travis Jones will be led by USA Football master trainers and area high school coaches.

Entertainment for fans who are not part of the clinic will also be available, complete with locker room tours, appearances by the Ravens cheerleaders, and encounters with the team’s beloved mascot Poe. Baltimore also hinted at opportunities to win signed Ravens memorabilia in their press release on Thursday, though details about what might be available are scarce.

The first session of training is set to take place from 8:30 AM ET to 11:30 AM ET with a second round to begin at 1 PM ET until 4 PM ET. Fans are encouraged to show their Ravens pride at the event ahead of the 2023 NFL draft, which will take place at the end of the month in Kansas City, Missouri.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler helps renovate weight room at Long Beach Poly

Austin Ekeler’s foundation teamed up with the Chargers and Long Beach Poly alumni to renovate the school’s weight room.

While the Chargers’ 2022 season may have ended in disappointment, running back Austin Ekeler teamed up with the franchise to help renovate the weight room at Long Beach Poly, a local high school.

The renovation was also made possible by Poly alumni Jurrell Casey and Juju Smith-Schuster, whose donations helped fund the upgrade.

According to The 562’s Mike Guardabascio, the weight room at Long Beach Poly hasn’t been renovated in more than 70 years, so this much-needed update should be particularly helpful for the school’s athletic programs.

The room is getting a new concrete floor poured to allow modern equipment, as well as new paint, 11 double-squat racks, medicine balls, and a ton of other state-of-the-art equipment. Over 70 teams and close to 2,000 athletes have been using the old facility, which was severely limited in terms of how many athletes could use it at the same time. The football team, for example, needed to cycle four or five groups through when factoring in the lower levels and varsity players. Now the entire varsity team will be able to lift in one session, instead of being split in half.

The Chargers and their players have always prided themselves on the work that they’ve done in their communities over the years, and this latest project is sure to be the first of many to take place over the course of the 2023 offseason.

As the league turns its attention to the NFL Draft and free agency, Ekeler and his foundation will continue finding good deeds to do around Southern California that will make a lasting impact on the area.