New England's Devin & Jason McCourty Named Week 7 NFLPA Community MVPs
Patriots defenders and twin brothers raised more than $200,000 for sickle cell awareness
NEW ENGLAND’S DEVIN & JASON MCCOURTY NAMED WEEK 7 NFLPA COMMUNITY MVPS
Patriots defenders and twin brothers raised more than $200,000 for sickle cell awareness
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Devin and Jason McCourty have been named Week 7 NFLPA Community MVPs for raising more than $200,000 at their Tackle Sickle Cell Casino Night. The McCourtys, who share a charitable campaign, birthday and NFL team, are the first players to be named NFLPA Community MVP in the same week.
With Jason joining his twin brother on the New England Patriots this season, their October 22 fundraiser marked the first time that both Devin and Jason were able to attend their annual event in Boston. By night’s end, they and their 500 guests (including several Patriots) had surpassed last year’s record profit.
As the signature event of their Tackle Sickle Cell Campaign, the McCourtys’ fundraiser aided the work and causes of Boston Medical Center and Next Step, a non-profit that offers support for young people with life-threatening illnesses.
Since launching their campaign in 2013, the twins have raised more than $1 million to advance research and raise awareness for sickle cell disease, which is a blood disorder that typically impacts African-Americans.
“Sickle cell disease is a sickness that has caused a lot of pain in our family, specifically for our Aunt Winifred. So to be able to bring awareness for others and raise money to help those impacted by this terrible disease has been humbling,” Jason McCourty said. “My mom is someone who has always taught us to give back and has been a huge inspiration for Devin and myself when it comes to community service. I believe God has blessed me in so many aspects in my life that it’s only right to spread that blessing.”
Along with their casino nights in Boston and New Jersey, the McCourtys annually host a Tackle Sickle Cell 5K Run/Walk, a blood drive in their home state of New Jersey, a free football camp for 250 New Jersey kids as well as regularly volunteering at community centers and the YMCA in Boston, New Jersey, Nashville and Cleveland.
“Making an impact for people who need a voice has inspired our work in everything we do,” Jason McCourty said. “We want to be remembered for more than just playing football.”
In honor of the McCourtys being named this week’s Community MVP, the NFLPA will make a $10,000 contribution to their foundation or charity of choice along with an in-kind donation to them on behalf of our supporting partner Delta Private Jets. A limited-edition bobblehead will also be made of the McCourtys and sold by our supporting partner Forever Collectibles at www.sportsfanisland.com and www.foco.com. The NFLPA will donate part of the proceeds from this collector’s item to their charity or foundation of choice.
The NFLPA is also proud to partner with Life is Good, the original positive lifestyle apparel brand, to showcase athletes whose values align with the brand’s commitment to growing the good in their communities and helping those in need. In January 2019, Life is Good will further advance the MVPs’ worthy causes with the Life is Good x NFLPA commemorative T-shirt collection at LifeisGood.com and Fanatics.com. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to each player’s charity or foundation of choice.
The McCourtys, along with the other 2018 Community MVPs, will become eligible for this year’s Alan Page Community 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.
2018 NFLPA Community MVP winners*:
Week 0: Tyrann Mathieu, Houston Texans
Week 1: Melvin Gordon, L.A. Chargers
Week 2: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Week 3: Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
Week 4: Damon Harrison, New York Giants
Week 5: Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles
Week 6: Kelvin Beachum, New York Jets
*Teams listed indicate player’s club when he was honored
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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.