New England's Cody Davis Named Week 3 NFLPA Community MVP
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Cody Davis has been named the Week 3 NFLPA Community MVP after hosting the latest two video game sessions of “Cody’s Gamers,” an outreach program that helps connect with and cheer up patients at Boston Children’s Hospital.
I'm truly honored and humbled to be named the Week 3 NFLPA Community MVP” Davis said. “I strive to use the gifts and platform that God has given me to love and serve others. I hope to serve as an example that an impact can be made no matter your role or platform."
The New England Patriots defender originally launched “Cody’s Gamers” earlier this year as a way to provide joy and a much-needed escape for children at Boston Children’s Hospital, particularly with visiting hours limited due to the ongoing COVID pandemic. Davis provided the hospital with a Nintendo Switch gaming system and once a month, he links up with a patient to battle in a video game of his or her choice over Zoom.
During the call, Davis begins building a lasting relationship with the child and helps distract from any operations, procedures or treatments they are currently receiving. After each session, the 10th-year veteran sends a personalized gift basket to the patient based on items they like and mementos from games they played during the call.
This past week, Davis played with two different patients – Seneca, who is 15 years old, and Levi, a six-year-old who is recovering from major surgery.
“Getting to play video games with Seneca and Levi was such a joy,” said Davis, who is in his third season with the Patriots. “It truly is an amazing experience to get to know each of these kids while hearing their stories and who they are. And then, having a blast playing video games and them getting to pick my brain about being an NFL player. I hope it brings them joy and an escape from whatever situation they are facing."
The undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech hopes to expand and evolve the partnership into larger events involving multiple participants, celebrities and athletes playing on Twitch to raise money for local hospitals.
Davis also makes a point to connect with children through his annual, free football camp held in his hometown of Stephenville, Texas, with all sponsorships and fundraising going to a local charity. And in May, he hosted 50 foster children and their families from the Boston area for a memorable afternoon of gaming in recognition of National Foster Care Month.
In honor of Davis being named this week’s Community MVP, the NFLPA will make a $10,000 contribution to his charity or foundation of choice. Davis will also take part in a virtual or in-person visit to a school or children’s hospital. Along with the other 2022 Community MVPs, he will also become eligible for this year’s Alan Page Community Award, which is the highest honor that the NFLPA can bestow upon a player.
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.
2022 NFLPA Community MVP winners:
Week 1: Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
Week 2: Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
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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.