Earlier this week, NFL player Chris Long announced that he would be donating the rest of this year’s season salary to improve educational opportunities all over America. Chris Long plays defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles. Long has been playing in the NFL for the past 10 years, and recently won a Super Bowl last season with the New England Patriots.
“My wife and I have been passionate about education being a gateway for upward mobility and equality,” Long said in a press statement, “I think we can all agree that equity in education can help affect change that we all want to see in this country.” Long has already given up his first six game checks to provide two scholarships for students in his hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia. Chris Long plans to use the next 10 paychecks to launch the “Pledge 10 for Tomorrow” campaign.
“I’m playing the entire 2017 NFL season without collecting income because I believe that education is the best gateway to a better tomorrow for EVERYONE in America,” Long said on his website. “I’m encouraging fans, businesses and every person with a desire to join in my pursuit of equal education opportunities for all students to make their own pledge. My goal is that through this campaign my donation will be doubled by those inspired to join the effort — because together we can accomplish more.”
This isn’t the first time that Long has actively participated in a charity. In May 2015, he launched the “Chris Long Foundation”. The foundation helps raise money for the Waterboys.ORG Initiative. The initiative is dedicated to building wells for communities in East Africa.