Buffalo’s Christian Benford Named Week 13 NFLPA Community MVP
Buffalo’s Christian Benford Named Week 13 NFLPA Community MVP
Washington, D.C. – Christian Benford has been selected as the Week 13 NFL Players Association (NFLPA) Community MVP after hosting his first Thanksgiving Celebration event at the Community Missions of Niagara Frontier, where he provided a warm holiday meal and essential winter items for 300 families in need.
With a $5,000 donation from the Buffalo Bills cornerback and his 47 Hearts Foundation, attendees not only enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal but also received a “winter kindness kit,” filled with lip balm, a hat, gloves, hand warmers, body warmers and snacks. These essential items offer critical support during the harsh Western New York winter months for unhoused individuals, food-insecure families and vulnerable neighbors served by Community Missions.
“Being named Community MVP is an honor that means more than words,” Benford said. “My motivation has always been simple — show up, give back and make sure people feel loved because Christ loves us all.”
This Thanksgiving event marks the latest chapter in Benford’s growing legacy of giving back to the Buffalo community. Earlier this year, he authored his first children’s book, “Stylish Safari: The Adventures of Being You”, a story that celebrates being true to yourself and kind to others through the journey of a bobcat with a bold fashion sense. Benford has visited several schools to read his book and also hosted a fall festival at Brick Buffalo Academy featuring food, activities and story time for kids. All proceeds from "Stylish Safari" go toward the 47 Hearts Foundation and its efforts to uplift individuals and families through food drives, foster care support and homelessness relief.
Over the past year, Benford has continued to demonstrate his commitment to youth, education and community empowerment through several meaningful initiatives. He organized a children’s literacy day and book signing at Crane Branch Library, led a free youth football camp for 100 kids at his alma mater in Randallstown, Maryland, and partnered with local organizations to provide backpacks and school supplies to students during a back-to-school event. Each effort reflects his dedication to creating opportunities, promoting literacy, supporting families in need and inspiring young people to embrace their full potential.
In recognition of Benford being named NFLPA Community MVP for Week 13, the NFL Players Association will donate $10,000 to his nonprofit of choice. Along with the other Community MVPs from this season, he will also be eligible for the Alan Page Community Award, which is the NFLPA’s highest player honor and includes an additional $100,000 donation.
As part of a new supporting partnership with GoFundMe, fans can now also make a donation directly to the 47 Hearts Foundation here. All donations are tax-deductible and will go directly to the player's selected nonprofit.
Now in its 12th season, the NFLPA’s award-winning Community MVP campaign is part of the union’s continued efforts to support the year-round civic outreach and engagement of its player members. Community MVPs are selected by a committee of NFLPA staff that reviews the weekly nominees, which are submitted by players, agents, marketing representatives and NFL team staff. For more information about NFLPA Community MVP program, visit here.
2025-26 NFLPA Community MVP Winners:
Week 1: Garett Bolles, Denver Broncos
Week 2: Osa Odighizuwa, Dallas Cowboys
Week 3: Jeremy Chinn, Las Vegas Raiders
Week 4: Trent Sherfield, Denver Broncos
Week 5: Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Week 6: Justin Reid, New Orleans Saints
Week 7: Jonnu Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 8: Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
Week 9: Nakobe Dean, Philadelphia Eagles
Week 10: Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills
Week 11: Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
Week 12: Solomon Thomas, Dallas Cowboys
Week 13: Christian Benford, Buffalo Bills
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About the NFL Players Association:
The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) is the union for professional football players in the NFL and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of protecting the health, safety and financial future of its more than 2,000 player members, who are the backbone of North America’s most popular and highest revenue-generating sport. Through a wide offering of programs, resources and engagement opportunities, the NFLPA provides world-class service to players throughout their career lifecycle and builds solidarity to advocate on their behalf in the areas of healthcare, revenue, compensation and working conditions. The current CBA will govern the sport through the 2030 season. Learn more at nflpa.com.