Washington's Josh Norman Named Week 10 NFLPA Community MVP

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Josh Norman has been named Week 10 NFLPA Community MVP for raising funds to create youth enrichment programs and launching a campaign to provide disaster relief for Puerto Rico.

“I am so honored to be recognized by the NFLPA for my work in the community,” Norman said. “All of this work is bigger than football. I want to make an impact in the lives of children who need it most and to help develop those children to help change the future.”

Norman kicked off his second season with the Redskins in June by starting his new Starz24 Foundation to help support kids in the Washington D.C. area. Since then, he has raised money to provide backpacks and school supplies for children in need while rolling out multiple initiatives for the students at Jefferson Middle School Academy.

As his foundation gears up for its next phase of outreach programs, Norman held his first annual “A Night with the Starz” event on Nov. 13. With the help of several Washington teammates, the All-Pro cornerback raised nearly $100,000 to pour back into Starz24’s upcoming Imagination Team Rooms. The STEM-based “makerspaces” will be installed in several inner-city middle schools and high schools to serve as collaborative learning spaces for kids to learn the teamwork, training and technology necessary to excel inside and outside the classroom.

In light of the devastation caused in Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria in September, Norman has also demonstrated his heart for children abroad. After donating $100,000 of his own money to help rebuild the community infrastructure, the six-year veteran recently launched a two-week campaign to raise $150,000 more to aid the country’s residents. Half of Norman’s initial pledge will go toward the Boys & Girls clubs in Puerto Rico, which will play a key role in impacting the lives of disadvantaged children.

“I look at it as I’m on this earth to help people and help them be the best that they can be,” Norman said. “I have the means to do so. I’m going to do that.”

In honor of Norman 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. Norman, along with the other 2017 Community MVPs, will also become eligible for this year’s Byron Whizzer White 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.

*To be eligible for the Community MVP award, a player must be a dues-paying member of the NFLPA and either on a current NFL roster or actively seeking employment as a free agent.

2017 Community MVPs:

• Week 0: J.J. Watt (Houston Texans)
• Week 1: Colin Kaepernick
• Week 2: Chris Long (Philadelphia Eagles)
• Week 3: Carson Wentz (Philadelphia Eagles)
• Week 4: Max Garcia (Denver Broncos)
• Week 5: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (Green Bay Packers)
• Week 6: Vic Beasley Jr. (Atlanta Falcons)
• Week 7: Travis Frederick (Dallas Cowboys)
• Week 8: Andy Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals)
• Week 9: Carlos Dunlap (Cincinnati Bengals)
  

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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.