Week 4 Community MVP: Lamarr Houston, Chicago Bears Linebacker

Chicago Bears linebacker Lamarr Houston took to a different sport on Sept. 30 to raise funds and awareness for Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA).  In his second year hosting “Kick-off for Kids,” Houston traded in his cleats for bowling shoes for an event that raised $150,000 for PCAA family programming nationwide.   

Houston’s charitable drive and passion for healthy children and families extends beyond one organization and event.  Along with PCAA, the seventh-year NFL veteran regularly sponsors families through the Salvation Army and is active with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.  For his commitment to better his community in Chicago and beyond, Houston has been named the Week 4 NFLPA Community MVP. 

“As a father of two young boys, the services and programming that Prevent Child Abuse America implements nationwide to improve the well-being of our children and to prevent child abuse and neglect is especially important to me,” Houston said.  “I have really enjoyed working with them and being honored by the NFLPA as their Community MVP this week is an incredible honor.” 

As attendees of the fundraiser competed to win a chance to go bowling with Houston and his friends, several of the linebacker’s teammates joined in the fun, including: 

Houston sweetened the pot by donating a set of tickets to the Chicago Bears’ Oct. 16 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

“The Kick-off for Kids is our only annual fundraising event and helps us fund evidence-based programming here in Chicago,” said Dan Duffy, President and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America. “Thanks to Lamarr, this year’s event was our most successful, raising a record amount for our organization.” 

- Kaitlin Murphy