New Orleans' Demario Davis Named Week 8 NFLPA Community MVP
Saints linebacker turned NFL fine into a fundraising opportunity
For Immediate Release
November 1, 2019
New Orleans' Demario Davis Named Week 8 NFLPA Community MVP
Saints linebacker turned NFL fine into a fundraising opportunity
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Demario Davis has been named Week 8 NFLPA Community MVP for surprising the students at St. Louis King of France School in New Orleans with a pizza party and “Child of God” headbands while continuing his charitable campaign to raise money for St. Dominic Hospital.
"I feel beyond honored to be named the NFLPA Community MVP, but all glory goes to God,” Davis said.
Monday’s event served as a full circle moment for Davis. Following the New Orleans Saints game on September 22, Davis received a $7,017 uniform violation fine from the NFL for wearing a “Man of God” headband. The linebacker went on to win his appeal amid a groundswell of support by fans, including the SLKF students who made their own “Child of God” headbands.
The students’ gesture helped inspire Davis to begin selling replicas of the headbands and donating all proceeds to the emergency department at St. Dominic Hospital in his home state of Mississippi. As of this week, more than $250,000 has been raised, with Davis personally donating $9,000 and SLKF contributing $2,000.
“I wore that headband for weeks before it was even noticed, not realizing it was an issue,” Davis said. “Since the time I was fined, I’ve been fortunate enough to take that $7,000 negative and turn it into a $250,000 positive for someone else.”
The seven-year veteran and NFLPA player rep has also been active in many community projects throughout his NFL career. Earlier this year, Davis and 2017 NFLPA Community MVP Josh Norman teamed up to bring a U-Haul of fresh water to the residents of Flint, Michigan and worked with RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services) to provide backpacks, toys and food to migrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Davis’s heart for equipping the next generation of leaders is the motivation behind his Devoted Dreamers Foundation. The non-profit works to provide inner-city kids with the tools necessary to be successful spiritually, mentally and physically.
“Seeing how this all has played out and how many people I have the potential to help, I've decided to dedicate and make this year about giving back in all the ways that I can,” Davis said. “All across the country, whether through bailouts, my foundation, charity, or just public awareness of certain issues, I want to be the change I want to see. I feel like it's my duty."
In honor of Davis being named this week’s Community MVP, the NFLPA will make a $10,000 contribution to a foundation or charity of his choice. Also, our supporting partner Pledge It has set up a crowdfunding campaign to benefit the Devoted Dreamers Foundation. Supporters can pledge contributions based on every tackle by Davis, or they can make a flat donation at pledgeit.org/devoteddreamers.
Davis, 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
Week 6: Deatrich Wise Jr.., New England Patriots
Week 7: Dustin Colquitt, Kansas City Chiefs
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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.