Cleveland’s Shedeur Sanders Selected as Week 3 NFLPA Community MVP
Washington, D.C. — Shedeur Sanders has been named the Week 3 NFLPA Community MVP after he visited two East Cleveland public schools and donated 500 backpacks filled with supplies to show his support for local students.
“I truly believe in perfect timing, and being named Community MVP means a lot,” Sanders said. “What matters most is those kids knowing they are seen, they are heard and they are felt. If that gives them a little more motivation to keep showing up, then we did our job."
The Cleveland Browns quarterback hosted a celebratory day of pizza and ice cream for students at Caledonia Elementary School and Kirk Middle School. Each student received a backpack from Sanders featuring his Legendary 2 logo along with essential school supplies to help set them up for a successful year.
Throughout the day, Sanders had the opportunity to connect directly with students, as he handed out the backpacks alongside staff, signed autographs and shared advice. With September being Attendance Awareness Month, the visit served as a way for Sanders to encourage students to keep showing up each day and to actively participate in their education.
Mentorship and personal connection are at the forefront of Sanders' commitment to giving back. This past offseason, the second-year pro hosted a free youth football camp for Ohio children, coaching them through drills and scrimmages. Afterward, Sanders treated the participants to bouncy houses, snacks and a diamond chain giveaway.
Last year, before reporting to the Cleveland Browns training camp ahead of his rookie season, Sanders made a strong commitment to invest in his new team city. After a fire destroyed the homes of more than 100 residents in a local apartment complex, Sanders organized a Garden Valley Fun Fest that brought residents together for a day of food, music, games and giveaways.
To recognize Sanders being named the Week 3 NFLPA Community MVP, and to further support his off-field impact, the NFLPA will donate $10,000 to his Legendary Impact Foundation. Additionally, Sanders and the rest of this season’s Community MVPs will be eligible for the Alan Page Community Award, which is the NFLPA’s highest player honor for outstanding community service and includes an additional $100,000 donation.
For the second year in a row, the NFLPA is partnering with GoFundMe, the world’s leading fundraising platform, allowing fans to support players’ community efforts and through their selected nonprofits. To make a contribution to Sanders' selected nonprofit, Legendary Impact Foundation, please visit this donation page. All donations are tax-deductible and will go directly to his nonprofit.
Back for its 13th season, the NFLPA’s award-winning Community MVP program serves as a driving force behind the union’s commitment to highlight the year-round civic outreach and community engagement of its player members. Community MVPs are selected by a committee of NFLPA staff that reviews the nominees submitted each week by players, agents, marketing representatives and NFL team staff. Learn more about the NFLPA Community MVP program here.
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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.