Damon Harrison Named Week 4 NFLPA Community MVP

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Damon Harrison has been named Week 4 NFLPA Community MVP for donating $20,000 of his own money toward the recovery efforts in North Carolina following Hurricane Florence.

In the aftermath of one of the area’s most devastating natural disasters, the New York Giants defensive lineman contributed $10,000 each to two organizations in New Bern, North Carolina – True Carolina and New Bern Area Improvement Association, Inc. The funds will be used to support families with the basic needs of food, toiletries and building materials and to hire teams of electricians for restoring power in communities.

“I’m truly honored to be named the NFLPA’s Community MVP,” Harrison said. “I don’t help others for the awards, recognition or PR. I choose to help my community because it’s the right thing to do and I was raised to always do the right thing.”

The plight of victims from Hurricane Florence hits close to home for Harrison. He and his family were among the thousands of Louisiana residents who had their homes destroyed by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. After overcoming several more obstacles en route to the NFL, including working overnight shifts as a high school senior and going undrafted out of college, Harrison has committed himself to helping disadvantaged youth and families in Louisiana, New York and New Jersey.

Through his I Told The Storm Foundation, Harrison has provided kids from his hometown of New Iberia, Louisiana with new school uniforms following Hurricane Sandy in 2015, an annual youth football camp that culminates with a community cookout as well as turkey and toy drives during the winter holidays. The seventh-year All-Pro has also provided toys for youth at Harlem Hospital and participated in autism awareness initiatives. Harrison’s many charitable efforts resulted in him being named the 2018 “Hometown Hero” award recipient at the United Way of New York City’s annual Gridiron Gala.

In honor of Harrison being named this week’s Community MVP, the NFLPA will make a $10,000 contribution to his foundation or charity of choice along with an in-kind donation to him on behalf of our supporting partner Delta Private Jets. A limited-edition bobblehead will also be made of Gordon 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 the player’s 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.

Harrison, 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
  

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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.