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AFH Athlete Spotlight

Posted: Updated: by Hannah Bronkema

NFL Draft prospect uses his voice to inspire children

University of New Hampshire running back Dylan Laube has spoken more in the last year than he ever has. As team captain, he motivated the Wildcats with pre-game speeches. As a draft prospect, he had tried to motivate NFL front offices to call his name in a few days.

Dylan Laube runs with the football at a University of New Hampshire game.

These are tall tasks for any draft prospect, especially one from an FCS school, but Laube also has a speech impediment. He connected with Athletes for Hope at the Senior Bowl, wanting to show kids with stutters that they can achieve anything that they set their minds to.

The spotlight has never shined brighter on 2024 NFL Draft prospect Dylan Laube. The New York native is a fifth-year player and played every season at UNH – an FCS (Division 1-AA) school that hasn’t had a player’s name called at the draft in 17 years.

These obstacles alone have deterred the dreams of many who put on a college football helmet, but not Laube. On top of these barriers from suiting up on Sundays, Dylan Laube has a stutter while playing a sport known for aggression and noise at the highest level. 

Instead of giving up, Laube has embraced being underrated, and making it to the NFL has always been his dream. Before this past season, his teammates nominated him to be a team captain, the highest honor on any team. This thrusted him into more public speaking than he was used to, but his teammates were supportive, listening to what he said, and not how he said it. He backed up his inspirational words by dominating all over the field.

Laube led the whole FCS in all-purpose yards his final two seasons at New Hampshire, weaving through tacklers, running every route in the playbook out of the backfield and even taking opposing punts and kickoffs to the house as a returner. After his final season, his hard work paid off as he garnered a multitude of awards at the conference and FCS level and was invited to the coveted Senior Bowl, where the best seniors in the nation (mostly FBS players from schools like Michigan and Alabama) prove their abilities to NFL scouts. 

Dylan Laube shows off his athleticism during a football game.

At the Senior Bowl, Laube didn’t just prove he could hang with the top competition in college football, he excelled against them. Off the field, like the rest of the players, he was peppered by reporters and scouts about his performance and how his versatility could translate to the NFL.

Constantly verbalizing his skillset to NFL teams throughout the pre-draft process made Laube more conscious of his stuttering and he decided that he wanted to be a role model for kids who stutter.

That’s where Athletes for Hope stepped in. Every year, Athletes for Hope runs workshops at the Senior Bowl helping the future pros understand their platform and the value of giving back to a cause they are passionate about. Laube seized the opportunity, actively participating in the general workshops, but then going the extra mile to approach AFH representatives about his newfound passion for helping kids who stutter.

Dylan Laube runs a route at the Senior bowl

I’ve never let anything pull me down in my life, especially my stutter. And during this pre-draft process, I’ve enjoyed every second of it. I’ve always wanted to make a difference and show younger generations that we all face challenges and it should never slow you down on pursuing your dreams.

Dylan Laube, NFL Draft Prospect

AFH helped Laube get involved for the first time by using their wide network of non-profit organizations across the country to pair him with Friends: The National Association of Young People Who Stutter. As the only nationwide non-profit organization dedicated solely to empowering young people who stutter and their families, Friends perfectly fits Laube’s goals off the field.

In the days leading up to the biggest days of his life, Laube took time out of his day crammed with workouts and Zoom meetings with NFL GMs to hop on a call with Friends’ Executive Director Caryn Herring to discuss how he could get involved in the organization.

Being someone who stutters can often feel isolating. Kids who stutter need to know that they are not alone and that they can live successful and courageous lives while stuttering. Seeing adults like Dylan openly stutter while following his dreams gives children a positive model for how to live with stuttering. Dylan’s involvement in Friends will help so many more kids who stutter find community, feel inspired to follow their dreams, and be encouraged to let their voices be heard.

Caryn Herring, Executive Director of Friends: The National Association of Young People Who Stutter
Dylan Laube shows off his skills at the NFL combine

We wish Dylan Laube all the best this week, no matter which team calls his name. They will be lucky to have someone who goes the extra mile for himself and others, on top of being an amazing football player.

AFH News

Posted: Updated: by Hannah Bronkema

Athletes for Hope Empowerment Workshop: Empowering Senior Bowl Players to Make a Difference

For the eighth consecutive year, Athletes for Hope (AFH) facilitated our Empowerment Workshop with the 2024 Senior Bowl players in Mobile, Alabama, fostering a spirit of community engagement and social responsibility among the athletes. The workshop once again served as a catalyst for aspiring NFL stars to recognize their potential to make a positive impact beyond the football field.

Senior Bowl attendees stand on the field with an LED sign in the background that says "The draft starts in Mobile."

After a long week of practice and meetings with NFL coaching staff, the Friday morning of Senior Bowl week is always dedicated to community service. Kicking off the day, the Empowerment Workshop is designed to help Senior Bowl players understand the significance of their roles within their communities.

Through interactive sessions and discussions, the athletes are empowered to leverage their platforms for the greater good, recognizing the influence they hold and the responsibility that comes with it. This year’s group showcased exceptional dedication and enthusiasm throughout the session, demonstrating a genuine commitment to making a positive impact in their communities.

Duke University defensive tackle DeWayne Carter provided insight on how athletes should give back through community service.

If you‘re actually working with people in the communities, I think that‘s where the real impact is at because you care about the work that you do.”

DeWayne Carter, Duke University

Thanks to the leadership of the Senior Bowl, following the workshop, the players embark on a morning of community service activities, putting theory into practice as they roll up their sleeves and actively contribute to the Mobile community. This year, opportunities included school visits, food distribution, and visiting with sick children, among others. 

Senior Bowl players listening to AFH's Empowerment Workshop.

The bowl’s Executive Director Jim Nagy celebrated their yearly community service efforts and attributed the many NFL players that have come from Mobile, AL to the Senior Bowl players inspiring children in the community.

Jim Nagy giving Senior bowl players encouragement before they leave for their community service projects.

When you show up at their school, the hospital, wherever they’re at, they see you and then [the NFL becomes] a dream for them. You guys are going to give all of these kids hope today.

Jim Nagy, Executive Director, Reese’s Senior bowl

What sets AFH’s Empowerment Workshop with the Senior Bowl apart each year is its long-term impact. Beyond Community Service Day, AFH continues to work closely with these athletes, providing ongoing support and guidance as they navigate their professional careers.

Through personalized support and resources, AFH helps them develop and execute community outreach initiatives, leveraging their influence and resources to address pressing social issues.

A Senior Bowl player holds a microphone as he answers an Empowerment Workshop question.

Stay tuned for more from this year’s Senior Bowl class as they take time to give back while they prepare for the biggest milestone of their career thus far: the NFL Draft! 

Athletes in Action

Posted: Updated: by kReeves

NFL Prospects Prepare for the Draft By Making Kids Smile

First step: Senior Bowl. Second step: AFH Empowerment Workshop. Third step: Hospital Heroes visits the week of the Draft. Fourth step: Making kids smile.

While the players we met at the 2022 Senior Bowl are getting ready for the next stage of their careers, some of them took time out of their busy schedules to bring smiles to the faces of kids who need it most.

These visits featured:
🏈 Perrion Winfrey of Oklahoma
🏈 Cameron Thomas of SDSU
🏈 Leon O’Neal of Texas A&M
🏈 Braxton Jones of Southern Utah
🏈 Matt Waletzko of North Dakota
🏈 Sterling Weatherford of Miami University
🏈 Jordan Silver of Arkansas
🏈 Dameon Pierce of Florida
🏈 Tycen Anderson of Toledo
🏈 Chris Paul of Tulsa

“The visit was so much fun! Hands down the highlight of my week!”

Chris Paul, Tulsa Football

It’s always an honor to work with athletes at any point in their athletic journey, but it’s extra special to witness the next generation – days before one of the biggest moments in their lives – make an impact in such a meaningful way.

Unsurprisingly, the feedback we received from our hospital partners was nothing short of amazing.

“I just wanted to send you a quick thank you for helping recruit our amazing guests today. Matt, Jordan, and Sterling were so fun and really great sports. We were all truly impressed with their acting, drawing, and sculpting skills! Please let them know how appreciative we are that they took the time to play a game with us and answer some questions [about playing football].”

Leslie Scott, Child Life Specialist at Children’s Wisconsin

Another thank you to the Senior Bowl for making AFH a part of their offerings to players in February. We like to think it goes a long way!

NFL Draft Prep: Reflecting on the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl

Posted: Updated: by jbelinkie

If you’re a football fan, you probably already know what the Senior Bowl is. You already know that it’s one of the biggest pre-NFL Draft events of the season where elite prospects – and soon we can drop the word “prospects” and replace it with “players” – from all over the country are invited to Mobile, Alabama to showcase their talent to coaches, scouts and decision-makers from all 32 NFL teams. 

What you might not know is that since 2017, Athletes for Hope has had the privilege of presenting to each Senior Bowl class and helping them understand how to turn their charitable passions into action while leveraging their platform as athletes.

From strict COVID-19 protocols to our session being the first in-person workshop we’ve held for almost a year, everyone’s 2021 Senior Bowl was a little different than years’ past. But that was really where the differences ended. Lead by Athletes for Hope CEO Ivan Blumberg, players were engaged, inspired and since our workshop, we’ve had countless conversations with them on how they can give back to their communities. 

So apart from prepping for the NFL Draft, what have some of these Senior Bowl athletes been up to since January?

Alabama’s Najee Harris spent an afternoon at the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) helping pack kid-friendly food items for NTFB’s Food 4 Kids Program which provides backpacks full of nutritious foods and snacks to elementary school children experiencing food insecurity. He also moved pallets in their warehouse (which in all fairness might count as prepping for the Draft).

Pitt’s Patrick Jones II has been volunteering at various food banks across southeast Virginia, packing grocery bags, stocking shelves and sorting produce.

Duke’s Noah Gray joined the Philadelphia Phillies’ Sam Fuld’s TD1 Sports Camp where he spoke to campers about his experience living with Type 1 Diabetes as an athlete.

Education is at the core of Athletes for Hope and at the beginning of every charitable athlete’s philanthropic journey. We know this is just the beginning for not just the athletes mentioned above, but for so many soon-to-be NFL players.  

We know the draft starts in Mobile. Where does an NFL prospect’s journey in turning their charitable passions into action start? Answer: also in Mobile.

AFH Presents at Senior Bowl

Posted: by bsanchez

On January 26th, CEO Ivan Blumberg led a 1.0 workshop with a group of over 100 collegiate players from across the U.S. participating in the 2018 Reese’s Senior Bowl. The players were eager to learn how they can utilize their platforms to make a difference in their perspective communities. After sharing perspectives on each exercise, the players agreed they all had an opportunity to make a difference regardless how well known of an athlete they may be. Their theory was put into action as they all received charitable opportunities at various organizations in Mobile, Alabama following our workshop. The Starlight Children’s Foundation hosted a group of players at U.S. Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Players engaged with children during room visits and passed out autographed footballs.

Athletes for Hope Presents at the NCAA Senior Bowl

Posted: by bsanchez

This time of year, college seniors are pushing hard to get through the end of their last semester and are preparing for the start of their careers. The same is true for student athletes, many of which have their sights to the NFL.

Our team had the privilege of presenting to this year’s Senior Bowl class where top college football players would display their talents before the NFL draft.  Some of today’s biggest NFL stars have played in the Senior Bowl. As evidence, nearly every season at least 30% of those in attendance will end up in the NFL.

Our CEO, Ivan Blumberg, presented to a room full of players and the coaching staff. By the end of it, nearly every athlete there signed up to give back to others through Athletes for Hope. The top three causes athletes expressed interest in were:

  1. Helping children become more active
  2. Helping kids get a better education
  3. Reducing global poverty and hunger

The feedback from the event was very positive and many of the players offered their thanks and praise during the open discussion. For example, some of the comments said include:

  • “Great information that made me realize my responsibilities as an athlete”
  • “Inspirational!!!”
  • “I had a clear understanding on the process to help the community and how I can be more engaged in foundations that I want to be involved with.”

It was an honor to present to the NCAA Senior Bowl and to work with the organizers on this effort. We look forward to working with this organization and student athletes to make this world a better place.