For the National Football League, the game of football is about more than making plays on the field. It is about making them off the field as well. Our commitment to fans and the communities that support us does not end when the final seconds tick off the game clock. The NFL's commitment to public service is strong and has grown over the decades. It is reflected in many ways.
It is NFL teams and players reaching out through NFL Charities, a nonprofit foundation that grants $10 million each year to organizations such as the American Heart Association.
It is the $150 million NFL Youth Football Fund, a partnership with the NFL Players Association that invests in the future of the game. It is Youth Education Towns, a permanent legacy of every Super Bowl, where young people at risk can learn and grow.
During the season, many players spend their day off working in communities, a tradition known as "NFL Tuesdays." Players volunteer each week at local schools, shelters, and hospitals, helping out in ways large and small.
The NFL also responds to emergencies. Formed with the NFL Players Association after 9/11, the NFL/NFLPA Disaster Relief Fund contributed $10 million to promote healing and rebuilding following the terror attacks. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the NFL organized an unprecedented telethon to raise money for the Gulf Coast. More than $22 million was donated by the NFL, its teams, players, and fans.
The NFL has always been about football and community. We hope that you will join the NFL, our teams, and players in reaching out and strengthening our communities. We appreciate your support.
-- Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner
