Carolina Panthers and a good cause


Thomas Davis #58 for the Carolina Panthers

Thanksgiving week, +Denada Jackson invited me to cover the Thomas Davis Defending Dreams Foundation ("TDDDF") Dinner of Hope for my new writing gig at AXS.com. Davis, who plays for the Carolina Panthers, and his wife Kelly run TDDDF and hosted the dinner for the women and children of the Salvation Army Center of Hope.
Table setting at Lola's 

I've volunteered with different groups at the Center of Hope for several years now, and love the fact that Davis chose to use his foundation to work with them. Many of the residents are escaping dire situations in their home lives...and the children are caught in the middle.
TDDDF shield

Davis's teammates showed up to help out. They remind me of dudes I grew up with, having pretty much always been around athletes. With all that has gone on in the media with NFL players and a lot of negativity, I was happy to show this side.

A lot of people really feel that football players in particular are more prone to violence off the field than regular folks. Stats and facts don't bear that out...but like with most things, you cannot convince people who've already made up their minds.

Both of my brothers played D1 football, as did two of my closest friends. My experiences with pro players has never been any more or less negative than any other person. They are just people...who happen to make a lot of money playing a sport.

After having gone to school with a few guys who were drafted, I always found it funny how differently people treated them after they "made it." Like...all of a sudden they were different...and somehow more popular or desirable, when they were really the same old dudes. 

I don't care...no matter your station in life...character doesn't change that easily. You may be able to mask it...but it will show up and show out on you whether good or bad. So, there isn't a soul who can convince me that a particular career makes someone a good or bad person. I think the spotlight from the NFL just shines brightly on the negatives more than the positives.

Luke Kuechly springing into service.

Footballs for the kids.



Panthers signing autographs.

Panthers were happy to serve.

Group picture time.


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Comments

Vova Kurbatov said…
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