Sport for Good Archives - Athletes for Hope

Join us for our annual Play for Good Gala on December 7!

AFH News

AFH News

What We’re Reading

October 17 – November 3, 2023

Every day, athletes all over the world are doing incredible work in their communities by giving back, creating opportunities for those less fortunate, and making connections that will last a lifetime.

There is so much good going on in the sports community! From inspiring the next generation, new sports for good partnerships, a Halloween party for a good cause, and more, here are five articles the AFH team has read over the past few weeks that you may have missed.

“Akron native and NBA star LeBron James authored a new children’s book that shows children they are more than one label, interest or trait – they can do anything they set their minds to.”


Read the full article on cleveland.com.

“The latest space is Overtime Select, a four-week league for elite high school girls basketball players taking place during the summer of 2024 at OTE Arena, Overtime’s 103,000 square-foot facility in Atlanta, Georgia.”


Read the full article on espn.com.

“Make-A-Wish and Fanatics, a leading global digital sports platform, today announced a first-of-its-kind partnership in which Fanatics will become the wish-granting organization’s “Official Sports Partner.” Through the partnership, sports-related wishes in the U.S. will be granted under the co-brand of Fanatics Make-A-Wish.”


Read the full article on fanaticsinc.com.

“The New England Patriots Halloween party never disappoints, but this year, it was “out of this world.”

That was the theme for the annual celebration, where the Patriots Foundation, in partnership with the Revolution, hosted more than 40 local children battling cancer at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday.”


Read the full article on patriots.com.

“This is why supporting HBCU golf programs is core to both Eastside Golf’s and Mercedes-Benz USA’s brand missions. A couple of weeks ago, MBUSA served as the presenting sponsor for the Eastside Golf Invitational and donated $50,000 to the Morehouse Golf Program, which will continue to benefit from the partnership, including the provision of Sprinter vans to transport the golf team to their events.”


Read the full article on forbes.com.

Sport For Good Highlight

AFH Sport for Good Highlight: National Football League

September 7 marks the dawn of the 2023 NFL season. From now until February there will be highlight reel plays and iconic moments on the field, but there will also be important events away from the gridiron. 

The National Football League has long been a philanthropic institution that prides itself on giving back to communities and people in need. Whether it is through the NFL Foundation or independent charity organizations, the league is one of the premier organizations in terms of charitable donations and initiatives. 

During the next several months there will be a spotlight on the players, coaches, and organizations that are the backbone of “America’s Game.” Check out some highlights below of players and teams giving back to their communities as we get ready for the season ahead!

“To Weaver, love can come in many different forms. It can come in a smile, an ounce of happiness, or a small gesture. Giving back has become the star’s way of showing love, and it is through others that he realizes he is more than a normal person, he is a source of inspiration.”


Read the full article on athletesforhope.org.

“The awards bring the program’s total commitment since it began in 1998 to $61.8 million, resulting in the creation or refurbishment of 431 fields nationwide.”

Read the full article on nflfoundation.org.

“He’s recently signed on to be an AFH Whole Being Athlete Mental Health Ambassador and gotten involved in our Hospital Heroes program – all within two weeks of the NFL Draft!”


Read the full article on athletesforhope.org.

“The NFL first met Rojas this past February at Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles. After seeing a commissioned piece he made during a Super Bowl week event and learning more about the artist’s inspiring life mission and unique backstory, the NFL set out to collaborate with Rojas for the upcoming season to create and display pieces that encourage love and unity.”


Read the full article on nflfoundation.org.

Check out all of the NFL Community’s work on NFL.com.

AFH News

What We’re Reading

July 8 – August 2, 2023

Every day, athletes all over the world are doing incredible work in their communities by giving back, creating opportunities for those less fortunate, and making connections that will last a lifetime.

Every day, athletes all over the world are doing incredible work in their communities by giving back, creating opportunities for those less fortunate, and making connections that will last a lifetime. Here are five articles the AFH team has read over the past three weeks that you may have missed.

“Forty-four Women’s World Cup players, led by the Denmark international Sofie Junge Pedersen, have committed to taking climate action over the flights taken to and from Australia and New Zealand for the tournament.”

Read the full article on theguardian.com.

“The national team players announced they will donate a percentage of their World Cup bonuses to grassroots girls’ soccer organizations in Germany.”


Read the full article on sportsbusinessjournal.com

“Olsen presented a $300,000 check to MUSC’s Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital on July 28 to assist pediatric cardiology patients and their families with the transition between the hospital and home care.”


Read the full article on the postandcourier.com.

“His new charitable organization, the Second Round Foundation, hosted a golf tournament Thursday at the Twin Orchard Country Club in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, roughly five miles from Stevenson High.”


Read the full article on forbes.com.

“As part of the announcement, Manning’s first Paninin trading card went to auction with 100% of the proceeds going to a Central Texas non-profit with the help of St. David’s HealthCare and St. David’s Foundation.”


Read the full article on foxbusiness.com.

AFH News

What We’re Reading

June 17 – July 7

Every day, athletes all over the world are doing incredible work in their communities by giving back, creating opportunities for those less fortunate, and making connections that will last a lifetime. Here are five articles the AFH team have read over the past few weeks that you may have missed.

“The film festival will spotlight creators who ‘inspire the athlete mindset and ignite change through compelling stories,’ per the event’s website.”

Read the full article on si.com.

“Biles has taken most of the last two years off following her eventful stay in Japan in the summer of 2021, where her decision to remove herself from multiple events to focus on her mental health shifted the focus from the games themselves to the overall wellness of the athletes.”

Read the full article on apnews.com.

“Established in 2022, Gatorade made a multi-year $10M commitment to partner with organizations nationwide to help break down barriers to allow all athletes the opportunity to play through programming, resources, and training.”

Read the full article on littleleague.org.

“I would love every person with a disability to be proud of who they are and that they have their own unique goals, talents, skills, and ability to keep learning. I know that I am.”

Read the full article on nyrr.org.

“Charles Barkley has made a very specific amendment to his will following the Supreme Court’s decision to outlaw affirmative action in college admissions.”

Read the full article on foxnews.com.

What We’re Reading

Week of March 6, 2023

Every day, athletes all over the world are doing incredible work in their communities by giving back, creating opportunities for those less fortunate and making connections that will last a lifetime. Here are five articles the AFH team has read this week that you may have missed.

“Whether it is issues related to representation, visibility, support or salaries, imbalances still exist between men and women in society. And sport is no exception.”

Read the full article on Olympics.com.

“Joining the Para alpine skiing circuit nine years ago, Saori Ishii quickly got used to being one of a few female coaches at competitions. At team captain meetings held a day before major races, she would sometimes be the only one in the room.”

Read the full article on Paralympics.org.

“Ultimately, the hope is that Nala will boost the safe participation of women in all facets of athletics, increasing representation when it comes to things like coaches and agents.”

Read the full article in BBC Sport.

“While Pipper and Rjumina’s message is that any woman can be as strong as the strongest Para powerlifter, they also want women to know that shedding a few tears is perfectly fine too – especially if you are watching your daughter bench press her personal best.”

Read the full article on Paralympic.org.

“To celebrate International Women’s Day, Hockey Canada has collaborated with some of the most successful women in the game to answer one question: Why is it important to see women in influential positions in the game?”

Read the full article on Hockeycanada.ca.

AFH Newsroom

What We’re Reading

February 17, 2023

Every day, athletes all over the world are doing incredible work in their communities by giving back, creating opportunities for those less fortunate and making connections that will last a lifetime. Here are some articles the AFH team has read that you may have missed this month.

“A Super Bowl champ and former Chicago Bear, Ryan Mundy has turned from football to focusing on the mental health and well-being of Black people and families.”

Read the full article on CBSNews.com.

“There are a lot of things you can boast about, but taking a stance in 2020…I truly believe that God intended me to be a servant for my community and to others, and I wanted to stand on that”

Read the full article on WNBA.com.

“He’s the Point God on the court and headed straight for Springfield — but CP3’s legacy as an advocate for education and historically Black institutions is Hall of Fame-worthy in its own right”

Read the full article on Boardroom.tv.

“Everyone knows about Michael’s legacy on the basketball court, but it’s what he has consistently done off the court when no one’s watching that makes him a true legend for wish families and the wider Make-A-Wish community.”

Read the full article on USAToday.com.

“I guess finding sports kind of just turned it around a little bit for me. Everybody’s got that fire that an able-bodied football player does.”

Read the full article on ABCNews.com.

“We got to set the example for our youth, and these kids, they’re watching everything that we do. So we got to continue to reach back and give back and allow them to see us so that they can grow up and be better than us one day.”

Read the full article at KNTV.com.

“Wave strong is an organization that helps break down the stigmas of mental health. We’ve had tragedy in our town of Darien and we’re just trying to get teens and everyone around to know it’s OK to not be OK”

Read the full article at News12.com.