Athletes Doing Good

Washington State University Quarterback Tyler  Hilinski  was a rising quarterback. To many, Tyler was happy, funny, and one of the kindest individuals on and off the field. While everything seemed to be going well for Tyler, no one knew he struggled with his mental health. In 2018, he died by suicide. Today, we talk with Tyler’s parents,  Mark  and Kym, on how they are honoring the life of their s...

The Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation is dedicated to preventing cancer, providing the best care to those fighting it and finding a cure. Cancer impacts the lives of many individuals, each day approximately 4,950 people hear the words “you have cancer”.  That is why Green Bay Packers’ kicker, Mason  Crosby  and his wife Molly, want to raise awareness and money to continue the fight against cancer,...

WNBA player, Renee Montgomery made a difficult decision to opt out of the 2020 season to fight  social and racial  justice   reform.  In 2019, Renee started the Renee Montgomery Foundation as an effort to serve the community of Atlanta,  as a whole every  initiative strives to promote love, positivity, and equality to all. Today, Renee gives us a glimpse at what it was like starting her own founda...

Hurricane Laura completely ravaged Southwest Louisiana, leaving families and individuals without their homes or small businesses. That’s why Lake Charles natives Wade LeBlanc of the Baltimore Orioles and Jace Peterson with the Milwaukee Brewers are coming together to raise funds and rebuild their community, through the Operation Rebuild Lake Charles Fund. Today, Wade gives us a glimpse at what it...

Wife, mother, grandmother and philanthropist are just a few words to describe Cherry Starr. For 44 years, Cherry and her husband Bart Starr supported the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation and helped raise over $16 million. More recently, Cherry helped start the Starr Children’s Fund to support pediatric cancer research. She carries on Bart’s legacy by writing letters to all 32 quarterbacks wishing...

The passion behind the work of Carly Pennacchia, Community Relations Manager for the Philadelphia Eagles, doesn't necessarily come from the players, it comes from the fans. Being able to support causes that are important to the fans, and players, is at the heart of the team. Today, Carly gives us a glimpse of the impact she sees between players, fans, and Philadelphia community. Although Carl...

Recognizing that we can do more together, Milwaukee Bucks Foundation, Executive Director, Arvind Gopalratnam, strives to make a positive impact on people through his everyday work. Arvind gives us a glimpse of his career in sports and philanthropy, and how he works with the Milwaukee Bucks players to give back communities in Wisconsin. He believes that the Foundation is an extension of the team’s...

Oklahoma City Thunder center, Mike Muscala, is using his time in the NBA bubble to raise money for charity. For every three pointer the Thunder makes, Mike will donate $100 to Peace Players, non-profit that unites, educates and inspires young people to create a more peaceful world through the sport. Mike gives us a glimpse of his career as a professional basketball player, but more importantly, ho...

Even after almost two decades in the sports broadcasting industry, Erin Andrews is still expanding her brand. The FOX reporter recently launched a clothing line - WEAR by Erin Andrews. In part two of our conversation, Erin tells us why she was nervous about taking that leap but trusted her gut on the need for more sportswear for female fans. She’s also working on showing the public more of her per...

Erin Andrews is a broadcasting superstar. When she burst on the national scene nearly two decades ago, her popularity skyrocketed and she became one of the most recognizable sportscasters in the world. Today, you see her conducting sit-down interviews with some of the NFL’s biggest names and patrolling the league’s sidelines for FOX broadcasts. As if that didn’t keep her busy enough, she just wrap...

Ed Berry is the agent for some of the most successful players in the NFL, including Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and New York Giants Saquon Barkley. He doesn’t just focus on securing endorsements; he’s committed to listening to players and building relationships that benefit them. Today he talks about how he reminds them that their ultimate goal is to have an impact on others. With...

We’re all familiar with the term Mr. Irrelevant, a title bestowed each year on the last pick of the annual NFL draft. While former NFL linebacker David Vobora may have been Mr. Irrelevant in 2008, today, he is everything but irrelevant. David gives us a glimpse on his career in the NFL, but more importantly, his life after football as the founder of the Adaptive Training Foundation. He believes th...

Finishing first is not out of the ordinary for NASCAR’S youngest champion in history, Sam Mayer. This season, the 17-year-old is setting another first.  For the first time in the sports’ history, nonprofit organizations will be showcased in custom, one-time only paint schemes on his No. 21 Chevrolet car this season. He is committed to using his platform to raise awareness for nonprofit organizatio...

Giving back is something that has been part of Houston Texans JJ Watt even before he made it in the NFL. In college, he started the JJ Watt Foundation to provide after-school athletic opportunities for middle-school aged children. Since 2011, the Foundation has raised over $6 million! Today, we talk with Foundation Vice President Connie Watt not just about her secrets of raising 3 boys that play i...

Since high school, Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brent Suter has had a passion for making our environment a better place to live. Brent is committed to using his Harvard University education and major league platform to make a difference. Today, he shares with us how he rallied his teammates to support his Strike Out Waste Campaign and what we can all do to help. His enthusiasm, commitment, a...

Sports fans see Solomon Thomas as a San Francisco 49er. But what they may not have seen, is his struggle with mental health and depression. Today, Solomon not only shares with us the story of his sister Ella who took her own life, but opens up about his personal struggle with mental health. He hopes that his vulnerability can help others know it’s OK to not be OK. Solomon’s passion and dedication...

Many people saw Pat Connaughton show out in the 2020 NBA Dunk Contest as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. But you might not know that the Notre Dame graduate played both basketball and baseball in college and was drafted in both sports. He’s the ultimate multi-tasker and that’s helped him expand into the charity space. Today, Pat tells us about the lessons he’s learned being a multi-sport athlete,...

Many people recognize Brian Anderson, BA, as the Brewers play-by-play announcer on FSN Wisconsin. But this past weekend, Brain took on another role. As host of ‘The Match’ with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, BA takes us behind the scenes of this $20 million fundraiser for COVID Relief. Today, BA reveals his passion for family, faith, his career, and for giving back. His...

Prior to the recent racial injustice against African Americans, we spoke to Indiana Pacers’ Malcolm Brogdon about his true passions. While he loves the game of basketball – since his youth, he saw basketball as a means to his end goal: helping others. Over the years. he developed a passion for providing clean water to villages in Africa and educational opportunities to schools in Atlanta and India...

When you hear the name Russell Wilson, your mind likely flashes to the football field – where the talented NFL quarterback captains the Seattle Seahawks to incredibly emotional victories. He’s a Superbowl Champ and a Pro Bowler – the ultimate highs of his profession. But Russell has dealt with his share of lows too – including the death of his father who never got to see Russell’s professional dre...

Like many professional athletes, Chase Anderson has been playing baseball since he was a little guy. He’s moved around the league – pitching for the Diamondbacks, Brewers and now the Toronto Blue Jays. Today he shares with us how his upbringing has helped him survive the challenges of pro baseball, why he lives by the motto “never forget where you came from” and how – before his starts - he honors...