Celebrate Excellence EVERYWHERE: Edition 10

History Published on : 11/21/2014
The mission of the Pro Football Hall of Fame is to Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve its History, Promote its Values, Celebrate Excellence EVERYWHERE. Each Friday, ProFootballHOF.com features stories from the football world and beyond that illustrate the celebration of excellence!

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From One Field to Another

Former St. Louis Rams center Jason Brown gave up his career in the NFL to pursue another dream…farming.  His decision puzzled many, but Brown knew it was the right move and was ready to help others in need.

Brown, who bought a 1,000-acre farm in North Carolina, has pledged to donate the first fruits of every harvest to food pantries.


“When I think about a life of greatness, I think about a life of service,” said Brown.


Watch his entire story:


“Foot” ball

Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge enjoys spending his free time helping children in need. He’s heavily involved in multiple charitable organizations, including one of his own called American Football Without Borders that he co-founded with New York Jets right tackle Breno Giacomini.

Barnidge recently partnered with Samaritan’s Feet, a non-profit organization that provides shoes for kids who can’t afford a pair of their own. These gifts help to prevent diseases transmitted through contaminated soil. In a way to promote the organization, the Browns tight end gives his cleats to a select child invited to the game.


Pulling Together

Wilbur Heath, a long-time supporter of Del Oro High School football, received his dying wish of watching one last high school football game. See how the community pulled together to make his wish a memorable one.


Jones Coaches Football for Children with Learning Disabilities

Freddie Jones is a retired NFL tight end that played five years (1997-2001) with the San Diego Chargers and three seasons (2002-04) with the Arizona Cardinals. He retired  to spend more time with his family. Now Jones, along with another former NFL player George Teague, coach at the June Shelton School in Dallas, Texas.


“Coaching wasn’t anything I had thought about before, but my son was a little older now, I had some free time. I thought about it and I wanted to be a dad not just to my kids, but be a role model for others, be a mentor.”


Lynch is on the Money

Seattle Seahawks fan Jason Lynch was surprised and confused when his neighbor told him that running back Marshawn Lynch returned his lost wallet.

Jason’s lost his wallet at a gas station where Marshawn was filling up.


Football "Impacts" Youth

Six-year old Dante Chiappetta was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of one and was also found to have something called cortical visual impairment which leaves him legally blind.

Last year Dante’s father Joe applied to a nonprofit called Team Impact, which pairs college athletic teams with children facing life-altering illness. Dante is now part of the Yale football team and attends weekday practices. On Saturdays he roars in anticipation of the afternoon ahead.
Senior running back Tyler Varga explained that,

“Being part of a team definitely builds brotherhood, especially at Yale, where family is our core value. When Dante became a member of this team, we said, ‘Dante is one of our brothers now.’”

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