Melvin Gordon Named Week 1 NFLPA Community MVP

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Melvin Gordon has been named Week 1 NFLPA Community MVP for participating in the Los Angeles Meal Pack to help feed thousands of food-insecure children, elderly and veterans.

Thanks to the efforts of Gordon, several of his Chargers teammates and more than 1,000 other volunteers, 250,000 non-perishable meals were packed and distributed to feed those in need across the Greater Los Angeles Area.

The program was one of four meal-packing initiatives that took place across the country on 9/11 Day, an annual moment when the nation joins together in service to honor the victims of that tragic day 17 years ago.

“By being involved in charitable efforts like serving meals to veterans on 9/11 Day, I’m reminded how much volunteering can not only make a difference to people in need, but also how important it is to show my fans – especially kids who look up to me as role model – that I care,” Gordon said. “I want to thank the NFL Players Association for this award.”

Gordon’s work is rooted in the mission of his Beyond the Flash Foundation. The charitable organization works to provide economically challenged students with educational resources and opportunities while offering support for inner-city and low-income children throughout Los Angeles who struggle with hunger.

Driven by this passion for youth, the fourth-year pro also hosted a “Holiday Bike Build” in December 2016, providing a new bicycle for 52 children whose parents were stationed on Naval Base San Diego. Last year, Gordon returned to his hometown of Kenosha in Wisconsin, where she spent time at the local Boys & Girls Club and hosted 200 kids for a football camp.

“Growing up, I saw a lot of disadvantaged kids and poverty in my community,” Gordon said. “I decided early on as a football player that if I was ever to be in a position to make a change for those less fortunate, I would do exactly that.”

In honor of Gordon 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.

Gordon, 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

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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.