CJ Watson’s Quiet Storm Foundation

Chicago Bulls point guard CJ Watson is the epitome of class when it comes to giving back to our youth. Watson, who studies psychology at the University of Tennessee during the off-season, loves working with the youth and believes in the importance of education.

Watson and family members started the Quiet Storm Foundation in Las Vegas, NV, in 2009, to provide educational and recreational opportunities for disadvantaged youth. The foundation aims to encourage children to read and develop the fundamental skills to help them become good readers and provide training to parents in family literacy programs. Additionally, they will distribute books to children to help them build their own personal libraries. They will also provide scholarships, field trips, education incentives, sponsor special events, and a host of other things for underprivileged youth.

The foundation will host the CJ Watson Annual Black History Month Essay Contest and Appreciation Luncheon on Saturday, March 12, 2011 in Chicago. This event will honor essay winners at three Chicago Public Schools as well as three winners at schools in the Clark County school district in Las Vegas. Please visit http://www.quietstormfoundation.com/ for more information about this event.

Do you know about a particular athlete’s charity or foundation? If so, please feel free to share it on my blog!

Brandon Jacobs: Father Figure

I am praising running back Brandon Jacobs of the New York Giants for stepping in as a father figure for the children of incarcerated former teammate, Plaxico Burress. Jacobs was asked to spend time with Burress’ children, particularly Burress’ four-year old son, Elijah, who he thinks should have a man around to take the emphasis off of him not being there.

In an interview with the New York Daily News last year, Burress indicated that the most difficult part about being in prison is answering his son’s questions about his whereabouts. Burress also has a daughter who was born while he has been in prison.

Given the high number of households with absentee fathers these days, I think it’s a blessing that Jacobs is filling the void in the lives of these children. It is also a great thing that Burress thought enough of Jacobs to ask this favor of him.

Burress will be released from prison on June 6, 2011, after two and a half years of confinement.

DeSean Jackson: Tackling Bullies

It’s kind of comical to me that my first honorable mention is none other than DeSean Jackson, wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, who I love but chastised indirectly nonetheless during the season for getting too fancy instead of simply going into the end zone. DeSean, along with teammates Todd Herremans and Jamaal Jackson, surprised 13-year old Nadin Khoury on the February 3 episode of The View.

A group of teenagers bullied and beat Khoury last month in Philadelphia. Khoury did not sustain any major injuries after being stuffed in a tree and hung by the hood of his coat on a fence. All teenagers involved were arrested but it saddens me that only one person driving by—a woman at that—thought to get out and help him by chasing the boys away. Even after receiving the help, Khoury was the one to call 911 when he got home.

While telling his story on the morning talk show Khoury was surprised by his favorite athlete and had trouble holding back the tears. DeSean, noticing Khoury’s emotional moment, got up from his seat between Herremans and Barbara Walters and squeezed next to Khoury, comforting the brave young man. It was incredibly touching and impossible—at least for me—to keep the tears from flowing. DeSean told Khoury how brave he was and joked that he had two linemen that could help out if he had any problems again.

I am so proud of this wonderful display of kindness, especially to a child who has been bullied. I sincerely hope that this story will get more people to pay attention to the issue. After all, bullying is getting worse across the country and when people ignore it, they become part of the problem.

Kudos, DeSean!