It’s easy to write about NFL players who have thrown away their talents with poor decisions, a la Michael Vick, and I will admit that I personally love reading and writing about it.
But what about the NFL players that do the exact opposite? I’m talking about the guys who help out in the community and selflessly give, despite the fact that their actions will probably never be publicized nationally.
The time has come for that to change.
Onterrio Smith getting more publicity for his Whizzinator incident than Warrick Dunn got for founding his two charities is criminal.
So, which active players make the list for my “Good Guys” Team?
Let’s start with the offense.
Here’s a list of my starters with their team, and a link to their respective foundations, if they have a website (they deserve some free publicity).
*Note: some players may be placed out of position (OG vs. OT), due to the fact that they are still undeniably deserving to make this list.*
QB: Jeff Garcia (Tampa Bay Bucs) — Pass It On Foundation
In addition to being a great NFL QB (four-time Pro Bowler), Jeff Garcia is a great person.
He and his wife, Carmella, founded the “Pass It On Foundation” in May of 2007 and have already made generous donations to:
- Giving Hope Through Faith Foundation
- Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
- Special Olympics Northern California
- American Cancer Society (Scholarship Program and California Division)
- Laci and Conner Search and Rescue Fund
RB: Warrick Dunn (Tampa Bay Bucs) — Warrick Dunn Foundation
Almost anyone who follows football knows about Warrick Dunn on the field, but he may also be the all-around best guy the league has ever seen.
Dunn founded the Warrick Dunn Foundation, which gives money to various charities, and has raised over $5,000,000 in his efforts.
He also founded the Homes for the Holidays program, which helps single parents purchase homes. Since founding this program in 2004, Dunn has helped 45 single parents and over 120 children in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, and Tampa.
Three charities founded? You better believe it. In 2007, Dunn, along with Andre Agassi, Muhammad Ali, Lance Armstrong, Jeff Gordon, Mia Hamm, Tony Hawk, Andrea Jaeger, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Mario Lemieux, Alonzo Mourning, and Cal Ripken Jr. founded Athletes for Hope.
Athletes for Hope is an organization that both helps athletes donate to their charities and foundations, but also encourages other athletes to get involved in the philanthropy.
WR: Chris Chambers (San Diego Chargers) — C.A.T.C.H. 84 Foundation
Chris Chambers is a guy you don’t hear about as often as Warrick Dunn, or even Jeff Garcia, for his off-field actions, but you’re going to hear about him now.
C.A.T.C.H. (Children Achieving Through Community Help) 84 was founded by Chambers and his family in 2005 to help children from single-parent families look past their current situations to realize success.
Each year, Chambers’ organization partners with Key Bank to award a college scholarship to a high-school senior in the Cleveland area, Chris’ hometown.
WR: Anquan Boldin (Arizona Cardinals) — Q 81 Foundation
Anquan Boldin has been a great player since coming into the league in 2003.
What many don’t know, however, is that the very next year, Boldin founded the Q 81 Foundation, aimed at expanding educational and life opportunities of underprivileged children.





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