Tennessee's Jeffery Simmons Named Week 12 NFLPA Community MVP
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Jeffery Simmons has been named the Week 12 NFLPA Community MVP after he gifted more than 500 Nashville families with turkeys for the Thanksgiving holiday.
“The Bible says in Luke 12:48 that ‘To whom much is given, much will be required.’ Growing up in Noxubee County, Mississippi, I watched my mother make countless sacrifices for me and my four siblings, especially during the holidays,” Simmons said. “Knowing that God has put me in a position to be a blessing to others means the world to me, and I realize there is still so much work for me to do in the community. I want to sincerely thank everyone for helping with the Give Em A Reason Foundation Turkey Distribution.”
On November 21, fresh out of the Tennessee Titans’ practice walkthrough that day, Simmons hosted his foundation’s first turkey giveaway at Nissan Stadium. Cars lined up outside the facility were greeted by the Titans defensive lineman, who personally handed out the Thanksgiving staple to the attendees.
Following the two-hour drive-thru distribution, Simmons teamed up with Second Harvest Food Bank, FrankTown Open Hearts and other local non-profits to distribute the remaining turkeys to community members who weren’t able to attend.
Since launching the Give Em A Reason Foundation in 2022, the fifth-year veteran has consistently hosted a number of giveback initiatives as part of his non-profit’s mission to serve others through youth empowerment and self-esteem-building opportunities.
In September, Simmons joined volunteers at Nashville General Hospital Foundation’s Outreach Program to pack and distribute healthy food at no cost to the city’s disadvantaged, elderly and sick. The following week, he invited kids from Martha O’Bryan Center’s extended learning program out to a local escape room for a space-themed day of fun. Through his involvement, Simmons helped extend the program’s mission to provide students in grades K-8 with positive male support related to academics, self-esteem and worth.
This past summer, the former Mississippi State standout returned to his roots and hosted a full week of outreach events. On July 1, Simmons held a Community Fun Day in his hometown of Macon, Mississippi featuring flag football games, food trucks, bounce houses, face painting and fireworks. Afterward, the town’s mayor presented him with the first-ever key to the city to honor Simmons’s commitment to his community.
On July 6, Simmons surprised 10 youth athletes in Starkville with $300 gift cards to go on a shopping spree to purchase new football gear, clothes, shoes and more. The next day, Simmons began a two-day football camp that saw several players from across the NFL come out to teach the kids fundamental skills, teamwork and discipline. The camp took place on the new field that Simmons donated to Starkville Sportsplex a year earlier (along with a new fieldhouse to Noxubee County High School).
“I don’t do this for publicity; I do this for our people. I do it for our community,” Simmons said. “I’m thankful for being able to give back to families like my own growing up, and that’s the reason why I do this.”
In honor of Simmons being named this week’s Community MVP, the NFLPA is making a $10,000 contribution to his foundation or charity of choice. In turn, Simmons 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
Week 10: Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
Week 11: Jalen Pitre, Houston Texans
Week 12: Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans
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