SAN FRANCISCO’S ARIK ARMSTEAD NAMED WEEK 4 NFLPA COMMUNITY MVP
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Arik Armstead has been named the Week 4 NFLPA Community MVP after donating $250,000 to launch the Armstead Academy in his hometown of Sacramento. The after-school program will help K-12 students achieve their goals in the classroom and reach their professional dreams.
“Being named the NFLPA’s Week 4 Community MVP is a huge honor,” the San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman said. “When we started the Armstead Academic Project, our goal was to ensure that every student we served was equipped with resources to be successful in school. With this new after-school program, we will be able to surround our youth with the year-round support that they deserve.”
On September 28, Armstead greeted Sacramento students to announce his investment into his new academic program, which will provide tutoring, mentoring and leadership development for the participants. Youth in his team city of San Francisco will also benefit through regional college tours and enrichment activities.
The initiative marks the latest effort in a partnership that’s spanned five years between his foundation, Armstead Academic Project (AAP), and Mercy Housing California, a non-profit housing developer that provides service-enriched affordable homes to residents throughout the state. Armstead Academy will primarily serve elementary through high school students who live in Mercy Housing California communities
The seven-year veteran also earned NFLPA Community MVP honors in 2020 for his virtual “Storytime With Arik Armstead.” This program impacted more than 500 kids internationally by promoting literacy and connecting with students during the pandemic’s outset.
Much of Armstead’s charitable work is rooted in education, building off AAP’s mission to ensure public school students have access to a quality education, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status. So far, the foundation has poured more than $500,000 back into his community, hosted more than 1,000 underserved youth at four free football camps, sponsored field trips, invited kids to hands-on career exploration opportunities and raised $50,000 in funds to provide 350 Chromebooks, education kits and pre-paid Internet service for students during distance learning last year at Sacramento’s Mercy Housing.
In honor of Armstead being named this week’s Community MVP, the NFLPA will make a $10,000 contribution to his charity or foundation of choice. Our supporting partner, Aldine Sports Association, will create customized T-shirts and hoodies featuring his unique Community MVP superhero illustration made by HEARTLENT Group. The apparel will be sold on ASA’s website during the season, with a portion of all proceeds going to Armstead’s foundation or charity of choice.
Armstead, along with the other 2021 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 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.
2021 NFLPA Community MVP winners:
Week 1: Justin Reid, Houston Texans
Week 2: Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
Week 3: Emmanuel Sanders, Buffalo Bills
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