Houston's Kareem Jackson Named Week 8 NFLPA Community MVP
Texans defender raised more than $207,000 and held VIP event for breast cancer awareness
HOUSTON’S KAREEM JACKSON NAMED WEEK 8 NFLPA COMMUNITY MVP
Texans defender raised more than $207,000 and held VIP event for breast cancer awareness
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Kareem Jackson has been named Week 8 NFLPA Community MVP after raising more than $207,000 for breast cancer awareness and hosting his first annual Pretty in Pink event for breast cancer survivors.
“Being named as this week’s NFLPA Community MVP is a huge honor,” Jackson said. “I know there are a lot of guys in the league doing great things, so I’m truly humbled to be selected.”
The defensive back’s fundraising efforts took place at his second annual Dinner for a Difference celebrity waiter night in Houston. Several of his Houston Texans teammates, including Week 0 NFLPA Community MVP Tyrann Mathieu, joined the well-attended event, where Jackson made a personal $15,000 donation for the cause. All proceeds will go toward the Kareem Jackson Foundation and its outreach programs, one of which recently took place – Pretty in Pink.
As part of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Jackson invited 75 breast cancer survivors and their guests to enjoy a VIP experience that included a gourmet meal, mobile spa, makeup swag bags and prothesis bra fittings. The Oct. 8 function furthered his foundation’s mission of providing assistance to women with breast cancer and children battling pediatric cancer.
“My foundation and the work that we do is especially close to my heart because my mother is a two-time breast cancer survivor and my sister also beat cancer as a child,” Jackson said. “I know the struggles that families face when a loved one is battling cancer and if I can make just one day easier for them and give them a reason to smile, then I’ve reached my goal. That’s my motivation.”
In winning this week’s Community MVP, Jackson capped a strong first year for his foundation. Before training camp, he visited Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston for his first Christmas in July to pass out footballs, video games and other gifts to kids receiving treatment. In May, Jackson held his first Tee-Up with Texans fundraising event, which generated more than $75,000 to help women and children battle cancer.
In honor of Jackson 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 Jackson 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 theLife 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.
Jackson, 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
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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.