Philadelphia's Carson Wentz Named Week 3 NFLPA Community MVP

PHILADELPHIA’S CARSON WENTZ NAMED WEEK 3 NFLPA COMMUNITY MVP
Eagles quarterback donated $120,000 to help secure specially trained service dogs for those in need

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Carson Wentz has been named Week 3 NFLPA Community MVP for his help in propelling a campaign to provide service dogs for individuals with special needs.

When Wentz launched his foundation Audience of One (AO1) in July, one of his objectives was to use service dogs to help those in need within the Philadelphia area. The second-year quarterback took a big step toward that on Sept. 22, donating $120,000 to Canine Partners for Life to secure specially trained service dogs for individuals who have a wide range of physical and cognitive disabilities. The funding will go a long way in covering the costs necessary to raise, train and place more CPL service dogs around Philadelphia.

"I am incredibly honored to receive the recognition of NFLPA Community MVP for this week,” Wentz said. “My love for dogs and passion for helping those in need recently led me to the folks at Canine Partners for Life. After hearing and seeing the great services these dogs provide to their owners and families, it was an easy decision to partner with them to help make a difference for families in the Philadelphia area."

Wentz’s donation comes on the heels of another charitable grant that his foundation made earlier this month to Mission of Hope in Haiti. The contribution will help launch a sports initiative to develop youth, reinforce education and invest in the next generation of leaders in Haiti, filling a void that Wentz saw when he visited Haiti to provide volunteer services during the offseason.

Both acts of service are rooted in the mission of AO1, which strives to demonstrate the love of God by providing opportunities and support for the less fortunate and those in need. Wentz’s objectives are to support youth in Philadelphia by providing service dogs to assist with their development and quality of life; care for and provide food, shelter and educational opportunities for underprivileged youth abroad; and create hunting and outdoor opportunities for the physically disabled, the underserved and military veterans.

In honor of Wentz being named this week’s Community MVP, the NFLPA will make a $10,000 contribution to his foundation or charity of choice along with an in-kind donation to him on behalf of our supporting partner Delta Private Jets. Wentz, along with the other 2017 Community MVPs, will also become eligible for this year’s Byron Whizzer White Award, which is the highest honor that the NFLPA can bestow upon a player.

The NFLPA Community MVP program recognizes NFL players who are making a positive impact in their local communities. Each week during the regular season, the NFLPA will celebrate one NFL player* who has demonstrated a commitment to giving back to his community. Please visit our website to read more about the program as well as the current and past winners.

*To be eligible for the Community MVP award, a player must be a dues-paying member of the NFLPA and either on a current NFL roster or actively seeking employment as a free agent.

2017 Community MVPs:

• Week 0: J.J. Watt (Houston Texans)
• Week 1: Colin Kaepernick
• Week 2: Chris Long (Philadelphia Eagles)

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About the NFL Players Association:

The National Football League Players Association is the union for professional football players in the National Football League. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of assuring proper recognition and representation of players’ interests. The NFLPA has shown that it will do whatever is necessary to assure that the rights of players are protected—including ceasing to be a union, if necessary, as it did in 1989. In 1993, the NFLPA again was officially recognized as the union representing the players, and negotiated a landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL. The current CBA will govern the sport through 2020. Learn more at www.nflpa.com.