Minnesota's Dalvin Tomlinson Named Week 9 NFLPA Community MVP
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Dalvin Tomlinson has been named the Week 9 NFLPA Community MVP after he hosted six families from the Brighter Days Family Grief Center during a recent Minnesota Vikings home game.
“It’s an honor being named the NFLPA Community MVP,” Tomlinson said. “My mother has always been my motivation for the work I’ve done in the community. She always told me, be a blessing to others while you can.”
Ever since his mother unexpectedly passed away during his senior year in high school, Tomlinson has used his own personal experience to do just that. On October 30, before the Vikings took the field, Tomlinson hosted 30 fans on the sideline from Brighter Days Family Grief Center, an organization that provides support to kids and young adults who are grieving the death or terminal diagnosis of a family member. The six families served as VIP guests for a special meet-and-greet with Tomlinson, who took pictures, signed autographs and shared words of encouragement.
“You never know how many lives you can help in a positive way just by smiling,” the Vikings nose tackle said.
Along with enduring the unfortunate death of his mother due to complications from diabetes, Tomlinson’s father passed away from cancer when he was just five years old. Knowing how difficult it is to navigate the loss of loved ones, particularly at a young age, the sixth-year veteran has made it his life mission to work closely with grief centers in every town he has lived in. Through virtual calls and in-person engagements, Tomlinson has connected with and served as a positive outlet for hundreds of families in his home state of Georgia (Kate’s Club), his former team state of New Jersey (Good Grief) and now, in his current team state of Minnesota (Brighter Days).
The Alabama alum, who signed with Minnesota in 2021 after playing his first four seasons with the New York Giants, has donated his time, energy and resources to an extensive list of charitable groups. Tomlinson has hosted a free youth football camp in Georgia, volunteered at local children’s hospitals during the holidays and serves as an ambassador for the American Cancer Society in memory of his father. To honor his mother’s legacy, he also serves as a member of the Team Tackle Initiative with the American Diabetes Association, where current and retired NFL players help raise financial support for diabetes treatment and have met with senators on Capitol Hill to advocate for equitable benefits for those affected by this condition.
In honor of Tomlinson being named this week’s Community MVP, the NFLPA will make a $10,000 contribution to his charity or foundation of choice. Tomlinson will also take part in a virtual or in-person visit to a school or children’s hospital. Along with the other 2022 Community MVPs, he will also become eligible for this year’s Alan Page Community Award, which is the highest honor that the NFLPA can bestow upon a player.
The Community MVP campaign is part of the NFLPA’s continued efforts to support the year-round, civic outreach and engagement of its player members. Please visit the NFLPA Community MVP website to learn more about the program.
2022 NFLPA Community MVP winners:
Week 1: Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
Week 2: Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
Week 3: Cody Davis, New England Patriots
Week 4: Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
Week 5: John Metchie III, Houston Texans
Week 6: Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos
Week 7: Jason Cabinda, Detroit Lions
Week 8: Jaelan Phillips, Miami Dolphins
Week 9: Dalvin Tomlinson, Minnesota Vikings
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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 the 2030 season. Learn more at www.nflpa.com.