Devin Funchess Named Week 16 NFLPA Community MVP
Devin Funchess cooked up some help for those in the community through a charity culinary contest and two toy drives
CAROLINA’S DEVIN FUNCHESS NAMED WEEK 16 NFLPA COMMUNITY MVP
Devin Funchess cooked up some help for those in the community through a charity culinary contest and two toy drives
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Devin Funchess has been named Week 16 NFLPA Community MVP for holding a weekend of community events, including a charity cooking competition, a student essay contest on kindness and two toy drives.
“I want to thank the NFLPA for honoring me as this week’s Community MVP,” Funchess said. “It is a privilege to help bring joy to others, especially during the holiday season.”
The Panthers wide receiver channeled his love for cooking into a charitable event on Dec. 21 that positively impacted many within the Charlotte community. In partnering with The National Youth Foundation, “Cooking With Funchess” benefitted the lives of children through creative educational programming.
The friendly competition among 20 local chefs gave attendees the opportunity to sample and vote on an array of “pre-game” appetizers, “gameday" main dishes, “sideline” side dishes and “end zone” desserts. Among the food and music entertainment, one area of the venue honored two local heroes from the police department and United States Marine Corps for their acts of service.
To get students involved, Funchess held “The Campaign of Kindness” essay contest for Charlotte Mecklenburg School district children. The 121 participants wrote 1-2 page essays on how people can show kindness to others. The four winners were honored at the event and received prizes including autographed footballs, gift cards and tickets to the Dec. 23 Panthers football game.
The final component of “Cooking With Funchess” encouraged all attendees to bring new, unwrapped toys or drop them off beforehand at designated locations. On Dec. 22, Funchess hosted two toy drives during which 400 toys and bikes either donated by others or bought by Funchess were distributed to kids and families in need via Kids First of the Carolinas.
“I always see the bowling and basketball-style charity events, and I enjoy cooking, so I wanted to try something different and add my own twist,” Funchess said. “I felt this idea would be an innovative way to bring the community together and be able to give back to those in need.”
In honor of Funchess 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 Funchess and sold by our supporting partner Forever Collectibles at 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.
Funchess, 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. 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
Week 8: Kareem Jackson, Houston Texans
Week 9: Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks
Week 10: Andrew Whitworth, L.A. Rams
Week 11: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
Week 12: Von Miller, Denver Broncos
Week 13: Ben Garland, Atlanta Falcons
Week 14: Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 15: Geno Atkins, Cincinnati Bengals
*Teams listed indicate player’s club when he was honored
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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.