Back to School Backpack Giveaway @nessnitty and I had for the @girlsclubny I hope you like your new @nike backpacks&ready for the school yr! pic.twitter.com/yAGlrDq0gO
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 10, 2017
Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Colin Kaepernick might not be on an NFL roster, but his off-of-the-field efforts were enough to grant him the Week 1 NFL Player's Association Community MVP Award.
THE NFLPA announced the honor on Friday.
As part of the award, the NFLPA will make a $10,000 contribution to Kaepernick's foundation or charity of choice, as well as an in-kind donation to him on behalf of the NFLPA's supporting partner: Delta Private Jets. Kaepernick is also now eligible for the Byron Whizzer White Award, the highest honor the NFLPA can give to a player.
Kaepernick was given the award for his "commitment to empowering underserved communities through donations and grassroots outreach," according to the NFLPA website.
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He announced a $100,000 donation on Sept. 7. That payment consisted of giving $25,000 to four charities: DREAM, a provider of after-school programs and sports opportunities to New York's inner-city youth; Coalition for the Homeless; The Gathering for Justice's War on Children, an upcoming program that aims to fight against child incarceration; and United We Dream, a charity which addresses inequalities and obstacles faced by immigrant youth.
Kaepernick also held a Back to School Backpack Giveaway on Sept. 9 at the Lower Eastside Girls Club of New York. The bags were filled with books and other items The Lower Eastside Girls Club of New York connects girls and young women to entrepreneurship opportunities, healthy meals and STEM workshops.
The free agent quarterback has now donated $900,000 of the $1 million he pledged to give to organizations working in oppressed communities.
