Week 3 Community MVP: Kevin Pamphile, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offensive Lineman
When Kevin Pamphile’s mom passed away in August, it struck the Tampa Bay Buccaneer to the core. But the third-year offensive lineman has found purpose in his pain, drawing upon the charitable legacy of his mom and love for kids to make a positive impact in the community.
In driving the launch of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) programs at 10 select Hillsborough County public schools, Pamphile visited Lanier Elementary School in Tampa on Sept. 27 to deliver books and take part in several hands-on activities with students. Pamphile’s continued devotion to educating the next generation has paved the way for him to be named the Week 3 NFLPA Community MVP.
“I am humbled to be named as Community MVP this week,” Pamphile said. “I accept this honor not just on my behalf, but on behalf of my squad, the “STEM Squad,” comprised of my teammates and brothers who serve alongside me on and off the field.”
“I enjoy working with and inspiring kids to achieve their full potential,” Pamphile continued, “so visiting schools, focusing on literacy, education and sports just makes sense for me, whether that means donating books or scholarships to help kids advance in their education.”
As one member of the “STEM Squad,” Pamphile was joined by teammates Alterraun Verner, Andrew DePaola, Clinton McDonald and Donovan Smith as they distributed age-appropriate, STEM-themed books to kindergarten through 5th-grade students. The group of Buccaneers also participated in a “STEM Engagement Zone,” where they played games like UNO and built LEGOs with the kids to broaden their creative minds.
In conjunction with Athletes for Charity and Ford Motor Company, Pamphile also visited classrooms at Lanier last year, but this time, he served as the principal for the day while his teammates took on the role of assistant principal, much to the kids’ delight.
“It felt great to give back and see the smiles on the kids’ faces,” Pamphile said. “I was especially touched by how they remembered our visit from last year. They were excited to share with us which books they received and what they had learned from the book. It made me feel like my mission to just get them excited about reading was accomplished.”
Since he entered the NFL in 2014, Pamphile has been on a mission to aid the educational development of youth both in America and Haiti, where his family is from. The Buccaneers starting offensive guard has matched fundraising efforts to help sponsor Back to School events and school supplies for students affiliated with the YMCA d’Haiti and Fondation J’Aime Haiti. Pamphile has also donated books and LEGOs to students in Tampa and Haiti to promote STEM-based learning and programs.
Earlier this month, in honor of his late mother, Pamphile began the Marie Pamphile Memorial Scholarship to help Haitian youth cover the cost of education. The first two awards were distributed on Sept. 9.
“The motivation behind my community work has always come from observing my mother’s giving spirit and for my reverence for God,” Pamphile said. “I feel that it’s my responsibility to give back to those in need.