NFL Players Association / Former Players- Chicago Chapter to Present Youth Football Grant to East Aurora Tomcats on September 16th
Former NFL players organization partners with Home Depot to provide deserving youth football program in need with quality athletic gear to ensure safe and enjoyable playing conditions
CHICAGO {September 11, 2017) - The NFL Players Association I Former Players- Chicago Chapter and its charitable arm, the Retired Professional Football Players of Chicago (RPFPC),have teamed up with Home Depot to award an RPFPC Youth Football Grant to the East Aurora Tomcat Youth Tackle Football League on Saturday, September 16th at 10 a.m. at the new East Aurora High School Football Stadium, located at 500 Tomcat Lane in Aurora, IL.
East Aurora is one of four youth football programs this year to receive a grant of $1, 500 in athletic equipment and gear to ensure a safe and quality experience for the players. Thanks to RPFPC's partnership with the Home Depot corporation, each program will also receive an additional $4,000 in Home Depot merchandise towards the betterment of their youth program and facilities.
"As former professional football players, we recognize the importance of proper athletic equipment, especially in regards to the safety of the players," said Wendell Davis, former Chicago Bears wide receiver and Vice President of the NFL Players Association, Former Players-Chicago Chapter and RPFPC. "We are proud to award the East Aurora Tomcat Youth Tackle Football League, a deserving program in need of our support, with the opportunity to provide their participants with quality gear to ensure a safe and enjoyable playing experience."
Saturday's award ceremony will feature a formal grant presentation from the NFLPA/RPFPC board of directors and Home Depot executives as hundreds of youth and families in attendance are treated to photo and autograph opportunities with former NFL players.
Former NFL players scheduled to be in attendance include: Kurt Becker ('85 58 Chicago Bears}, Wendell Davis ( Chicago Bears}, Kinnon Tatum {Carolina Panthers}, Bruce Herron (Chicago Bears), John Janata (Chicago Bears), Reggie Smith (Tampa Bay Buccaneers}, Gemara Williams (New England Patriots}, Joshua Shaw {S.F.49ers), Eric Wright (Chicago Bears), Tim Tyrrell (Atlanta Falcons}, Bill Schick (Kansas City Chiefs), and many more!
Other recipients of the 2016-17 grant include Kelvyn Park High School, Pilsen Youth Athletic Association and the Morgan Park Jaguars, all of Chicago.
RPFPC's Youth Football Grant is awarded annually to local programs in need, especially those based in economically suppressed and underserved areas, with the goal of raising awareness for the safety and protection of young football players, improving the overall quality of their playing conditions and enhancing their athletic experiences. Any and all local schools and associations that are able to demonstrate a need for support are encouraged to submit their programs for consideration this spring when the application process re-opens for the 2017-18 season.