New England's Deatrich Wise Jr Named Week 6 NFLPA Community MVP
For Immediate Release
October 18, 2019
NEW ENGLAND’S DEATRICH WISE JR. NAMED WEEK 6 NFLPA COMMUNITY MVP
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Deatrich Wise Jr. has been named Week 6 NFLPA Community MVP for hosting a free block party at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston’s Mattapan Teen Center and pledging to donate $10,000 back to the community.
On October 13, the Super Bowl champion welcomed families of the Mattapan neighborhood to the block party, as live music performers, barbers, hair braiders and plenty of food trucks lined the streets for everyone’s enjoyment. This event, the first of its kind, was inspired by Wise’s desire to give back and make a positive impact on others.
“It’s an honor to receive the NFLPA Community MVP,” Wise said. “I first thank the Most High God for giving me the opportunity daily to spread love and positivity.”
The event, which was also attended by fellow Patriot Duron Harmon, served as an extension of the work done through his Wise Up foundation. Building on the values passed down by his father, who also played professional football, and mother, the non-profit focuses on bringing various educational and charitable opportunities to kids across the country. This includes his free Wise Big Man Camp for budding offensive and defensive lineman in Dallas to learn football fundamentals as well as an initiative in the works to provide hunger relief for kids in need in Arkansas.
The third-year Patriots defensive end has also been active in other community projects, such as a Christmas shopping spree for homeless children, NFL Play 60 and visits to local children’s hospitals.
“I would like to thank my parents for teaching me about having compassion towards others, and that I can do anything I put my mind to” Wise said. “I also want to thank everyone who made the Mattapan Teen Center Block Party possible.”
In honor of Wise being named this week’s Community MVP, the NFLPA will make a $10,000 donation to his foundation or charity of his choice. Also, our supporting partner Pledge It has set up a crowdfunding campaign in Wise’s name called Tackles For Teens to benefit the Mattapan Center. Supporters can pledge contributions based on every tackle made by Wise this season or they can make a flat donation at the following website:
Wise, along with the other 2019 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 nflpa.com/community-mvp to read more about the program.
2019 NFLPA Community MVP winners:
Week 0: Derrick Nnadi, Kansas City Chiefs
Week 1: Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
Week 2: Rashaad Coward, Chicago Bears
Week 3: Lonnie Johnson, Houston Texans
Week 4: Calais Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 5: Brandon Carr, Baltimore Ravens
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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 2020. Learn more at www.nflpa.com.