Denver's Pat Surtain II Named Week 14 NFLPA Community MVP

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pat Surtain II has been named this season’s Week 14 NFLPA Community MVP after he surprised two Title I high schools with grants totaling $100,000 to build his foundation’s first two Inspiration STEAM Rooms.

Initially, the Denver Bronco was going to give a $50,000 donation to the winner of his Game Plan Pitch Day in October. However, through his generosity, Surtain elected to extend an additional $50,000 grant to the runner-up of his pitch event so that students from both schools could reap the benefits of his innovative, STEAM-based space.

“It’s an honor to be named a NFLPA Community MVP,” Surtain said. “I’ve always been an advocate for changing the community for the better, but this wouldn’t have happened without my great team that’s been doing tremendous work as well for making this happen.”

At the cornerback’s Game Plan Pitch Day earlier this fall, he gave students from George Washington and Manual high schools the opportunity to make their pitch to judges in hopes of receiving a $50,000 grant to install Surtain’s first Inspiration STEAM room.

On November 28, the NFLPA All-Pro hosted his foundation’s inaugural Inspire The Dream Gala, where he recognized Manual’s student representatives as the recipients of the grant to install his first Inspiration STEAM Room. Before the gala, Surtain provided each of the student attendees with gift cards to purchase new clothes for the formal event. 

Thanks to the money generated during his foundation’s fundraiser, the third-year player was able to circle back and surprised the students at George Washington High with a $50,000 grant to install his second Inspiration STEAM Room. 

The rooms will feature wall graphics, 3-D printers, robotics, music recording software and equipment, coding software and other resources, allowing students to enjoy Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.) education in a vibrant, inviting space.

Inspired by the example of his father and former All-Pro cornerback, Patrick Surtain Sr., the Alabama alum started the Patrick Surtain II Foundation to level the playing field for students in financially disadvantaged communities. Last December, Surtain spent time baking and decorating cookies with families experiencing poverty from The Gathering Place. Afterward, he surprised four of the families with a holiday shopping spree while also helping to fulfill The Gathering Place's family program wish list by donating bulk items that aided additional families with necessities.

In February of this year, his foundation held its first outreach event with a Punch Bowl Social bowling tournament called PS2’s Strikes for Tykes Charity Bowling Event. Fans who entered and won the tournament got the opportunity to match up against Surtain and some of his Broncos teammates during the event.

Now in its 10th season, 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.  

2023-24 NFLPA Community MVP winners:
Week 1: Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings 
Week 2: Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Week 3: Justin Hardee, New York Jets 
Week 4. Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions
Week 5: Arik Armstead, San Francisco 49ers
Week 6: Emmanuel Ogbah, Miami Dolphins
Week 7: Calais Campbell, Atlanta Falcons
Week 8: Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 9: Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants
Week 10: Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
Week 11: Jalen Pitre, Houston Texans
Week 12: Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans
Week 13: Lawrence Guy, New England Patriots
Week 14: Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos

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