Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive end Chris Long is donating the remainder of his 2017 regular season salary to raise awareness for educational equality.
The former University of Virginia All-American made the announcement the morning of Oct. 18 in a statement via Twitter that he will be contributing his final 10 game checks “to organizations supporting educational equity and opportunity in St. Louis, Boston and Philadelphia — the three cities that I’ve called home throughout my NFL career.” The civic gesture coincides with a campaign Long established with his foundation (The Chris Long Foundation) entitled “Pledge 10 for Tomorrow” to encourage fans and businesses to match the Super Bowl champion’s initial dollar amount.
Ben Volin on Twitter
Chris Long announces he is donating 10 game checks to an educational organization. Already has donated 6 checks to provide scholarships
“In my 10th year, I want to celebrate the awesome opportunity I’ve had to play football by giving back to the communities that have given me that gift,” Long explained in his statement. “Educational opportunity and equity are the best gateway to a better tomorrow for everyone in America.”
The Charlottesville, VA native previously donated his first six game checks to two high school students in his hometown for scholarship funds earlier this season. According to The Associated Press, after the white supremacist rallies that took place in his hometown in August, the St. Anne’s-Belfield High School standout decided to showcase the real community he grew up in by jumpstarting the academic initiative.
“Our hometown is a wonderful place and I feel like people got the wrong idea about what the residents of Charlottesville are all about,” he said to The Associated Press.
Long now competes without earning a single penny during the regular season suiting up for his NFC East squad, but it’s for a worthy cause near and dear to him.
“I’m playing the entire 2017 NFL season without collecting income because I believe that education is the best gateway to a better tomorrow for EVERYONE in America,” he explained in his statement.
Long inked a two-year, $4.5 million contract, with $1.5 million guaranteed and a base salary worth $1 million with the Eagles this past off-season.
For more information on the “Pledge 10 for Tomorrow” campaign and The Chris Long Foundation, click here.
