New York's Kayvon Thibodeaux Named Week 9 NFLPA Community MVP

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Kayvon Thibodeaux has been named the Week 9 NFLPA Community MVP after raising $120,000 for youth enrichment at his JREAM Foundation’s first gala and hosting a financial literacy workshop for kids at the Boys & Girls Club of Harlem.

“It is truly a blessing to be recognized as a Community MVP,” the New York Giants linebacker said. “For me, it has always been important to pay it forward to the next generation, which is why I started the JREAM Foundation.” 

During his final season at the University of Oregon, Thibodeaux founded the JREAM (Journey to Readiness in Enrichment and Academic Mentorship) Foundation. His mission is to empower youth in under-resourced areas with confidence and wisdom by providing educational, mentorship and career exploration opportunities. 

The non-profit’s inaugural gala at MetLife Stadium on October 10 served as a celebration for what it has accomplished since and inspiration for the second-year player to continue his foundation’s impactful work. Along with raising $120,000, the event featured support from several of Thibodeaux’s Giants teammates along with a financial literacy panel that highlighted the need for those types of discussions and resources in underprivileged communities.

Last month, Thibodeaux also visited the Boys & Girls Club of Harlem, spending time with 50 kids to share his journey and answer questions. On hand were financial literacy experts to serve as mentors and teach the youth about how to earn and manage money at a young age. 

“I pride myself on being a positive role model for the youth to look up to and live by the motto, ‘Be Somebody to Somebody,’” Thibodeaux said.

True to this motto, Thibodeaux has invested a great amount of time and resources in his team city as well as his native area of South Los Angeles. He sits on the board of directors for Core Prep Academy Football, which, in partnership with the JREAM Foundation, provides a specialized academic and athletic experience for hundreds of middle-school students in California. 

Thibodeaux also started a mini-mentor student community service program, offered financial literacy classes and life skills workshops across the country, volunteered at the Community Foodbank of New Jersey, helped pack more than a thousand lunches for people in need in Los Angeles, and hosted a youth football and cheer summer camp as well as several conditioning camps to promote healthy living. In the coming months, he will host a mentoring weekend camp and a food giveaway event for the holidays.

In honor of Thibodeaux being named this week’s Community MVP, the NFLPA is making a $10,000 contribution to his foundation or charity of choice. In turn, Thibodeaux will take part in a virtual or in-person visit to a school or children’s hospital. Along with the other 2023-24 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.   

Now in its 10th season, 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.  

2023-24 NFLPA Community MVP winners:
Week 1: Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings 
Week 2: Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Week 3: Justin Hardee, New York Jets 
Week 4. Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions
Week 5: Arik Armstead, San Francisco 49ers
Week 6: Emmanuel Ogbah, Miami Dolphins
Week 7: Calais Campbell, Atlanta Falcons
Week 8: Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 9: Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants

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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.