Tag: community

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.

Russell Wilson responds to story on his foundation’s charitable giving

Russell Wilson says many of the organizations his foundation works with donate directly to causes. “We don’t need the credit.”

Last week, USA TODAY published a story on quarterback Russell Wilson’s Why Not You Foundation. In the story, The Arizona Republic‘s Jason Wolf detailed how Wilson’s 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization donated just 24.3 cents of every dollar it raised on charitable activities from 2020-2021.

Wolf went on to write that “nearly twice as much, $1.1 million,” went toward salaries and employee benefits at the foundation. One of the foundation’s executives earns $200,000 a year, and he has also worked for Wilson’s business ventures.

The story created a buzz well beyond Broncos Country. The foundation responded with a lengthy statement on Instagram, and the foundation’s director explained in an interview with KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis that they work with various organizations who donate directly to causes, and that money does not show up on the Why Not You Foundation‘s tax records.

Also of note in Klis’ story:

The report also questioned the salaries of Why Not You executives and the improper classification of its staff. [The director] did acknowledge the WNY foundation would take steps to be in compliance with industry rules.

Wilson echoed the explanation of direct donations in an Instagram reel on Saturday.

“Often times, funds that WNYF raises with our partners are donated from those partners DIRECTLY to people and orgs with immediate needs,” Wilson wrote on his Instagram page. “We put in the work and we don’t need the credit. Teamwork and making a difference will always come first. As we continue to grow, we will always care more about impact than credit.”

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Wilson won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award in 2020 in recognition of his charity work in the community.

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Broncos, NFL Foundation grant $250,000 to Pueblo school for turf field

“This new artificial turf field … aligns with the priorities set by our ownership to positively impact youth development.”

The Denver Broncos have granted the Havez Huerta K12 Preparatory Academy $250,000 to install artificial turf for their football field, the team announced Monday.

The donation is a part of $3 million in funding the league provides for field refurbishments through the NFL Foundation and LISC Grassroots program.

Broncos director of youth and high school football Bobby Mestas stated how grateful he is that the organization can impact the youth.

“We are continuously grateful for the support we receive from the NFL Foundation and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation with the opportunities they provide to install new synthetic sport fields for Colorado kids,” Mestas said.

“This new artificial turf field, which will support thousands of kids and multiple sports programs, will be a great addition to the Pueblo community and aligns with the priorities set by our ownership to positively impact youth development.”

This new field will serve the Pikes-Peak Park and Westgate-Hyde Park communities. Outside serving as the home for Havez Huerta Preparatory, it will host many other athletic activities and events.

Since 2000, this will be the ninth field Denver has installed in Colorado.

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Peyton Hillis in ICU after swimming accident in Florida

Prayers up for Peyton Hillis 🙏

Story update: The Arkansas Razorbacks tweeted Friday that Peyton Hillis is “doing better,” but there is no further update about this status available at this time. See our original post below. 

Former Denver Broncos running back Peyton Hillis is in an intensive care unit after a recent swimming accident in Pensacola, Florida, according to a report from KNWA-TV’s Alyssa Orange.

Orange reported that Hillis was helicoptered to a hospital and, as of Thursday evening, remained unconscious in the ICU.

Hillis’ uncle, Greg Hillis, wrote on Facebook on Thursday that his nephew “is improving,” but is not recovered yet.

“I just wanted to let everyone know on Razorback Nation that Peyton is doing better,” Greg Hillis wrote. “He’s still in intensive care and having some problems with his kidneys and his lungs but the doctors say he is improving.

“I just wanted to head off any rumors that may be started. I’m sure he would want everyone to know that he appreciates all of the prayers being thrown up on his behalf!!!”

Hillis, 36, played college football at Arkansas before being selected by the Broncos in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL draft. He originally began his NFL career as a fullback. After multiple injuries at the position, Denver moved Hillis to running back, where he excelled late in his rookie season.

Hillis started six games in 2008 and ended the year with 522 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns. Hillis saw his role diminish under new coach Josh McDaniels in 2009, and he was later traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2010.

Hillis went on to total 1,654 yards from scrimmage and scored 13 touchdowns in his first season with the Browns, earning him Madden cover honors the following spring.

Hillis later spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants before retiring in 2015 due to concussion and injury concerns.

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