Indianapolis' Raekwon Davis Named Week 18 NFLPA Community MVP
Indianapolis’ Raekwon Davis Named Week 18 NFLPA Community MVP
WASHINGTON D.C. – Raekwon Davis has been named the Week 18 NFLPA Community MVP after hosting his fifth annual Rae's Elves holiday event to bring joy and relief to underserved families in his hometown of Meridian, Mississippi.
“Growing up in Meridian, I prayed for better days for my family and community,” the Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle said. “I’m incredibly thankful for the platform I have to give back, provide relief for my hometown and inspire hope for youth from similar backgrounds.”
More than 350 kids from households experiencing hardship were each given a $100 gift card to select items from their wish lists during the Rae's Elves shopping spree. Davis personally accompanied children and their families, helping them choose gifts while spreading holiday cheer. In addition to supporting the selected families, Davis surprised store employees, Salvation Army volunteers and others at random with the opportunity to shop for their own Christmas list items.
“Being recognized by the NFLPA as a Community MVP is a true honor, and I’m excited to continue serving and making a difference in the lives of others,” Davis said.
Since entering the league five years ago, Davis has reached more than 1,500 individuals in need through Rae's Elves. The initiative has consistently alleviated financial stress for families, allowing them to focus resources on other critical needs during the holidays.
Davis continues to demonstrate the power of using his platform for good, making a meaningful difference in the lives of others and inspiring his peers to do the same.
During his years with his previous team, the Miami Dolphins, Davis partnered with a Miami-based non-profit Voices for Children, a foster care advocacy organization. He leveraged campaigns like the league’s My Cause My Cleats initiative and participated in the Annual Be A Voice gala live auction to help raise funds and awareness. His efforts with Voices for Children included supporting a back-to-school shopping spree, hosting a foster family at Dolphins games and inviting more than 50 children to the 2023 Miami Open, where they enjoyed a stadium tour, professional tennis matches and quality time with him.
In recognition of Davis being named the NFLPA Community MVP for Week 18, the NFLPA will donate $10,000 to his foundation or charity of choice. In turn, Davis will take part in a special visit to a local school, children’s hospital, or community center. Along with the other 2024-25 Community MVPs, he will also be eligible for the Alan Page Community Award, which is the NFLPA’s highest player honor and includes an additional $100,000 donation.
For its 11th season, the Community MVP program is teaming up with two supporting partners: Young Minds Inspired (YMI) and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA). As the nation's leading provider of free educational outreach programs, YMI will bring this year’s NFLPA Community MVPs to classrooms across the country through lesson plans about community service, inspired by the players' philanthropic work. BBBSA is also inviting this season’s Community MVPs to partner with its 230+ agencies across the country, providing these athletes with more opportunities to engage with youth through its volunteer-supported mentoring network.
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.
2024-25 NFLPA Community MVP winners:
Week 1: Alex Highsmith, Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 2: K.J. Osborn, New England Patriots
Week 3: Jordan Hicks, Cleveland Browns
Week 4: Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders
Week 5: Nate Wiggins, Baltimore Ravens
Week 6: Ernest Jones IV, Tennessee Titans
Week 7: Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns
Week 8: Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints
Week 9: Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills
Week 10: Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
Week 11: Cameron Dicker, Los Angeles Chargers
Week 12: A.J. Terrell Jr., Atlanta Falcons
Week 13: Ryan Kelly, Indianapolis Colts
Week 14: Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
Week 15: Camryn Bynum, Minnesota Vikings
Week 16: Darius Slayton, New York Giants
Week 17: Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
Week 18: Raekwon Davis, Indianapolis Colts
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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 NFL season. Learn more at www.nflpa.com.