GREEN BAY’S  OREN BURKS NAMED WEEK  4  NFLPA COMMUNITY MVP 

GREEN BAY’S OREN BURKS NAMED WEEK  4  NFLPA COMMUNITY MVP 

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oren Burks has been named Week 4 NFLPA Community MVP after hosting an annual fundraiser for House of Hope Green Bay, which generated thousands of dollars for women and children experiencing homelessness.

“There are so many players around the league and in sport who maximize their platform to create change in the communities they care about,” Burks said. “I’m honored to be recognized among my peers as an example of what it looks like to shift the narrative of being more than an athlete.”

The Green Bay Packers linebacker and his wife, Jocelyn, hosted this year's “Touchdowns for Hope,” an event that raises money to provide emergency shelter and supportive services for women and children experiencing homelessness. To generate even more for the House of Hope Green Bay foundation, Burks encouraged some friendly competition among his fellow Packers linebackers through a fundraising challenge. As result, an additional $2,200 was donated to the cause, pushing the foundation’s 11-year fundraising total above the $1 million mark.

“During a particularly difficult year for all of us, it’s important that we are intentional about how our actions can bring about hope and positivity,” Burks said.

The third-year veteran has made a commitment to serving his community and make a lasting impact on those around him. During the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Burks partnered with Feed the Front Lines Nashville to support local restaurants and provide food for frontline workers at Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Earlier this year, the Vanderbilt alum also helped with the clean-up efforts in North Nashville following a tornado that missed his house by one block.

In 2019, he served on the decision committee that selected five Wisconsin organizations as recipients of a $50,000 donation through the Packers' social justice community initiative. Burks then took part in the donation ceremony for Sherman Phoenix, which supports entrepreneurs of color and helps build community wealth in Sherman Park, Milwaukee.

In honor of Burks being named this week’s Community MVP, the NFLPA will make a $10,000 contribution to House of Hope Green Bay. Also, our supporting partner Pledge It has set up a crowdfunding campaign to benefit the foundation. Supporters can pledge contributions make a flat donation at the following website:

Make a Pledge  

Burks, along with the other 2020 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 hometowns and team cities. Each week during the regular season, the NFLPA will celebrate one player who has demonstrated a commitment to giving back to his community. Please visit our website to learn more about the program.   

2020 NFLPA Community MVP winners: 
Week 0: Kevin Byard, Tennessee Titans
Week 1: Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 2: Rodney McLeod, Philadelphia Eagles
Week 3: Landon Collins, Washington Football Team  
 

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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.