Seattle's Chris Carson Named Week 9 NFLPA Community MVP
Seahawks running back Chris Carson helped raise more than $180,000 for homeless youth in Seattle
SEATTLE’S CHRIS CARSON NAMED WEEK 9 NFLPA COMMUNITY MVP
Seahawks running back Chris Carson helped raise more than $180,000 for homeless youth in Seattle
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chris Carson has been named Week 9 NFLPA Community MVP after helping generate more than $180,000 for homeless youth in Seattle at a recent ROOTS (Rising Out of the Shadows) fundraiser.
In partnering with ROOTS, which is an emergency shelter for homeless youth ages 18 to 25, Carson’s efforts will provide resources and a safe place for this population of young adults. The second-year pro is also fulfilling a promise that he made to his mom after his Atlanta home burnt down in December 2013, leaving then-19-year-old Carson and his family homeless.
“I just remember this moment where we were outside and my mom was on the curb and she was crying, and we just had to look at our house while it burned down,” Carson said. “So that’s something that’s always played over and over in my head. I told my mom, ‘If I can, I’m going to get you a new house. I’m going to try to make a better world for us.’”
Carson has extended his promise to fighting against the homeless crisis in Seattle. On November 2, the Seahawks rusher served as the keynote speaker at the annual RISE Up fundraiser gala, officially launching his role as the first athlete ambassador for ROOTS. In addition to the money raised at the event, Carson drew in Safeway, which agreed to match donations up to $32,000 in honor of Carson’s No. 32 jersey number, and Tekline Roofing, which will make a cash donation every time Carson scores a touchdown.
In addition to that cause, Carson is also very passionate about supporting the military. He has teamed up with USAA for its Salute to Service campaign as a way to honor service members and veterans like his father, stepfather and grandfather, all of whom served in the Air Force
“I’m humbled that the NFLPA selected me as the Community MVP,” Carson said. “I know there are a lot of players making a difference in their communities, so this means a lot to me. I’m just trying to use my platform to help as much as I can.”
In honor of Carson being named this week’s Community MVP, the NFLPA will make a $10,000 contribution to his foundation or charity of choice along with an in-kind donation to him on behalf of our supporting partner Delta Private Jets. A limited-edition bobblehead will also be made of Carson and sold by our supporting partner Forever Collectibles at www.sportsfanisland.com and www.foco.com. The NFLPA will donate part of the proceeds from this collector’s item to their charity or foundation of choice.
The NFLPA is also proud to partner with Life is Good, the original positive lifestyle apparel brand, to showcase athletes whose values align with the brand’s commitment to growing the good in their communities and helping those in need. In January 2019, Life is Good will further advance the MVPs’ worthy causes with the Life is Good x NFLPA commemorative T-shirt collection at LifeisGood.com and Fanatics.com. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to each player’s charity or foundation of choice.
Carson, along with the other 2018 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 our website to read more about the program as well as the current and past winners.
2018 NFLPA Community MVP winners*:
Week 0: Tyrann Mathieu, Houston Texans
Week 1: Melvin Gordon, L.A. Chargers
Week 2: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Week 3: Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
Week 4: Damon Harrison, New York Giants
Week 5: Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles
Week 6: Kelvin Beachum, New York Jets
Week 7: Devin & Jason McCourty, New England Patriots
Week 8: Kareem Jackson, Houston Texans
*Teams listed indicate player’s club when he was honored
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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.