Week 10 Community MVP: Clinton McDonald, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive Tackle

By: Kaitlin Murphy

Clinton McDonald believes that giving is more of a blessing than receiving and he is always striving to be a servant to his community.  This past week, the seven-year veteran did his fair share of giving, which is why he has been selected as the Week 10 NFLPA Community MVP. 

Keeping with the mission of his foundation, McDonald Association Collective Collaboration Light Into Darkness (MACCLID), the Tampa Bay Buccaneer strives to make every year better than the last with acts of service in both his local community and hometown in Central Arkansas.  McDonald’s weeks are often filled with altruistic events, including working with the Ronald McDonald House, volunteering at local football camps and participating in the NFL’s Play 60 initiative.  

To kick-start his most recent charitable week, the defensive tackle gave a local elementary school the chance to experience an NFL game in person during the Buccaneers Nov. 13 win over the Chicago Bears.  The students and staff of Dickenson Elementary had worked hard raising money for their school with “box tops,” so McDonald decided to help give them the experience of a lifetime.

In addition to hosting the students at the game, McDonald, along with fellow Buccaneer and Week 3 NFLPA Community MVP Kevin Pamphile, spent time with youth at the NFL Youth Education Town (YET) Center.  The two Buccaneers spoke to the children about their feelings on various current events and community issues.

The next morning, McDonald served as principal for the day at Pizzo Elementary in Tampa. He was again joined by Pamphile as well as teammate Andrew DePaola, who served as assistant principals.  The players, in conjunction with Athletes for Charity and Ford Motor Company, helped spread the word on the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) by handing out STEM-themed books to nearly 800 students. 

“Being selected as the NFLPA Community MVP of the Week is not only an honor but also a blessing,” McDonald said. “I was taught at a young age that it is more blessed to give than to receive.  I feel that giving back is not only important but it is also my duty to do so. Overall, this week has been amazing and to receive this award is humbling.”