The Miami, Florida native was drafted by the Lions in the 2008 NFL Draft and quickly signed a 3-year deal with the franchise. Though he’s seen his ups and downs during his time in Detroit there has been one constant throughout his career, his commitment to giving back and his love for the fans.

“Without the fans and the people across the world that watch football we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. Giving back is a way for us players to show our appreciation and show that we are regular human beings like everybody else,” Smith explained.

“I do it because it’s fun and I like meeting new people and doing stuff, especially with the kids. Any time I have an opportunity to go out and help I’m all for it,” he added.

Though Smith does not run or operate his own charitable foundation he remains highly active in both his hometown of Miami and within the city of Detroit. Thanksgiving and Christmas are very busy and important times for many families, which presents its own motivation for Smith to be active and help those who are less fortunate. Through the Lions organization, Kevin, alongside his teammates assist in handing out turkeys and run local toy drives in the Detroit area during the Christmas season.

A proud child of Miami, Kevin also goes back home yearly to host his own Easter event and is proud to make a difference for the youth of his hometown.

“I do an Easter drive in Florida. My first year doing it was last Easter and I plan to continue doing it every year,” said Smith.

“For me, it’s just a way to give back to my community. I love playing with the kids, so whenever there’s a camp or a chance to set up a fun day like my Easter drive I jump at it. I would just like the people to know I appreciate them and most of all to know that I’ll never forget where I come from,” elucidated the Central Florida Alumni.

A lifelong football fan, Kevin Smith had his share of NFL heroes growing up, but his love for children and willingness to help others came from his mother, a hero he watched closely for years.

“Growing up my mother was definitely a role model for me. She’s been a teacher for over 25 years and just to see her passion for kids I knew that when I was able to give back I would definitely do the same thing,” he said.

During his long journey to the pros, Smith had never had it set that if he were to be blessed with the opportunity of playing football he would give back to society. For him it has always been something of a natural nature.

“I never really thought about giving back, it just kind of came naturally. To me it’s like leaving a restaurant and seeing a homeless person asking for change, you just put the change in the cup, you don’t think while you’re eating at a restaurant that you’re going to find a homeless person afterwards to give change to, it’s one of those things that when the opportunity presents itself you do something,” says the Lion running back.

With so many stories in the media of professional athletes being selfish or greedy there is no doubt that Kevin Smith presents a completely different look at what the effects of such an opportunity can have on someone. Smith, and so many other NFL players, realize just how lucky they are and remember what it was like to be a youngster looking up to these giant-like figures. His kindness and whole hearted efforts to give back give youth a look at what things money and fame can do besides buy nice homes and cars.

As his career continues Smith hopes to continuously make large impacts with smiles, laughter and a chance for all youth to enjoy life.

“I want to do things like setting up basketball tournaments and just giving people the opportunity to have fun. Positive people hanging around each other, having a good time, seeing the kids run around, giving out free food or shirts. I think it’s important to touch our youth and it starts with the kids, even if it is 5 or 10 kids, anything to guide our youth is so important.”

To the surprise of most people around the league, especially those within the Alouettes organization, Chiu announced his retirement from professional football via Twitter on opening day of the 2010 training camp. Though his career in the CFL had come to an end, Chiu’s consistency would not be phased as he now coaches with the Concordia Stingers and has continued to work and lend a helping hand in the community.

“Now that I’ve I retired I’m focusing more of my time with the Chinese community services here in Montreal, the family services for the Asian community and helping with the children’s hospitals,” explained Chiu. “My job now is at Concordia and it requires a lot of my time, needless to say, but I continue to try to give back whenever I can.”

Bryan and his younger sister were raised by a single mother, an experience that helped turn him into the man he is now.

“My dad was killed when I was two-years old and my mom had to raise me and my sister at a very young age so it really helped me to give back and just show that you can make it,” he said.

“To see my mom’s struggles, she was a 25-year old woman with myself being two and my sister being one. She didn’t have an education, no job, she couldn’t speak English, no car and basically had no money to her name and we relied a lot on the community. People helped her get her degree and get a job and put us through school and everything. It was just something ingrained in me that we had to give back,” described Bryan.

For some athletes, the stress of becoming a role model can be overwhelming and unwelcome in their private lives. For Bryan Chiu, the chance to pass knowledge and skill down to a younger generation is an opportunity that just can’t be passed on.

“The kids look up to us and we can pass along a positive message and let them know that we’re really no different than any other person out there like your teachers or parents,” said Chiu. “What we get to do is play a game and we’re on TV a little bit, but were just regular people and basically show them that it’s great to be a professional athlete and at the same time be people that can instill positive things in them,” he added.

Aside from giving back to the community that had helped Bryan and his family for so long, Chiu has continued to keep football as a part of his everyday life. He serves as the assistant offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Concordia University where he is happily giving back to the sport that had been there for him for his entire life.

“When I retired I had opportunities to coach at the pro level but I think the biggest thing for me was to be able to help younger kids aspire to reach their goals. At our level the kids here are coming out of high school and they’re still at the age where we can really help them and teach them everything we can and basically help them become student athletes,” he explained.

“A lot of these kids are away from home and don’t have their parents, so what we do here is we’re almost like their sergeant fathers and that’s rewarding to me personally to be able to help these kids,” elucidated Chiu.

“My favourite part is seeing the success our kids have, not just in football but seeing them get their degrees, seeing them smile when we win games, it builds so much character in football,” he added.

Bryan Chiu enjoyed one of the best careers an athlete could ask for. He played for a city he called his home and will be remembered by Alouettes fans for years to come. His importance to the city of Montreal is measured by his impact on the community, followed by his excellence on the football field. He is a proud Canadian and an ideal role model for those young and old.

“Giving back is an important part in being a professional athlete and a lot of  the time athletes get bad reps, but there’s really only a few guys like that. A lot of the guys in the CFL are really community oriented. I think the CFL has done a great job at promoting these guys and giving the fans a chance to relate to these athletes as regular people who just want to share their story and help this country be a better place.”

Jen Welter is a linebacker for the Dallas Diamonds of the Women’s Football Alliance, a women’s professional football league in the United States. She has been playing professional football for over 10 years and throughout her journey has been a vocal advocate for the importance of positive female role models within society and the overall benefit of self-confidence.

“I don’t have any kids but if I had a daughter I’d be mortified at what they see in the media as far as the women that are depicted on TV and stuff. Here are the Kardashians, the Basketball Wives, the Real Housewives and all of those are highlighting women as a by-product of what somebody else has done,” Welter stated. “I want girls to know that they can grow up and do whatever it is they want to do and to live their lives with passion, drive, dream and desire and not to just rely on their life being an outcome of who they marry or who their father is,” she continued.”I want girls to know that athletics is a venue where they can excel, especially in football. I think it’s a beautiful sport for women to see other women playing.”

Being self-confident is a trait that Jen Welter attributes through her love for football. Confirming self-trust leads to motivation and momentum for every professional athlete aspiring to reach their goals and it is something Welter conveys to the numerous young females she speaks with.

“It’s so hard for me to see how many women are hard on themselves in terms of physical appearance. Sports are something that can make you feel good. It’s about saying I don’t train to get attention from a guy I train to be good at my sport and there’s a very big difference when you do it for yourself,” explained the Boston College graduate. “For most women, if they have worked out it’s usually been in the form of trying to make themselves into something that’s appealing for somebody else which means that your self-confidence is coming from an external source and you can’t control that,” she added. “But if your confidence is in you, what you do and who you are then that’s something that’s always under your control and it’s a big thing for females and I don’t think that message gets conveyed to them enough.”

Combining sports and athletics with the messages behind her words, Jen Welter has worked to tackle various issues from teen pregnancy to gang relation or drug use. By introducing and excelling teens interest in not only sport, but the gratification and enjoyment of self health care whether it be physically or physiological, Welter stresses the importance of focus and drive.

“Kids coming up through high school need to realize that in order to make your dreams come true you need to be willing to make some sacrifices because you’re not going out partying all the time like your friends are, you’re choosing to dedicate your time to the pursuit of your dream,” she elucidated.

“You have to be willing to put some of those selfish gratifications aside in order to pursue your career. For me, people ask me why I don’t have kids but to me as an athlete that’s a game changer. If I have kids it will change the course of my athletic career. ‘Am I ready to hang up my cleats to have kids?’ It’s a decision I don’t take lightly,” clarified Welter.

It is no secret that women’s professional football is hidden in the shadows of the NFL or other various men’s leagues, including the college and high school levels. There are no flashy cash rewards or nice cars and houses like many of us see on TV in the news and on the Internet. The players that make up the Women’s Football Alliance play for the love of the game. There is no other incentive or hidden agenda. As one of the top ranked players in the world, Welter says she still faces many obstacles in regards to her status in the entire world of football.

“I’ve coached at men’s football clinics, but you have to prove yourself on many levels. As a female I have to prove myself even though I’ve played as much as I have. I’ve had guys tell me that I can’t hit or tackle, guys who have never played, it’s insulting in a way but sometimes you just have to be better,” she said.

In a sport dominated by men, Jen Welter has stepped up and become a positive voice for all woman, sports oriented or not. She has spent countless hours dedicated to the sport and causes she loves. Her inspiration reaches more than just the girls she motivates as she tells all youth to stand up for what they believe in. She joins a list of heroes encouraging youth to go against the grain and be who they desire to be, regardless of what or whom they see around them.

For more information on Jen Welter or the Dallas Diamonds, visit www.jenwelter.com

This year the NBA will be teaming up with the Special Olympics for the first ever NBA Cares Special Olympics Unity Sports Basketball Game during this year’s All-Star Weekend. The game will take place at the NBA All-Star Jam Session on Sunday, February 26, and will feature NBA players past and present, players from the WNBA, and most importantly 12 Special Olympic athletes from across the United States.

NBA legends such as Clyde Drexler, Chris Mullin, Dikembe Mutombo and Sam Perkins will all be taking part in the event, as well as current stars Kevin Durant, Kemba Walker and Derrick Williams. The opportunity for many of these Special Olympics athletes who are getting the opportunity to play with professional basketball players is a big step in directing people’s attention to the incredible talents of those involved with Special Olympics and their importance to the sporting world.

Participants will not only be playing in this charity basketball game but will also be treated, as well as their families, to a dinner with an NBA legend, in arena recognition during NBA All-Star events Saturday night, and tickets to the All-Star Game Sunday night. The NBA and the Special Olympics formed their partnership nearly 30 years ago when basketball was introduced as a new sport within the organization. Since then, the NBA has sponsored various Special Olympic basketball tournaments, provided NBA player public service announcements, participated in major Special Olympic events and has had the NBA Basketball Without Borders program featured in international clinics for Special Olympic athletes around the world.

Since its inception, NBA Cares has been devoted to its social responsibility of addressing important social issues around the world. NBA teams and players have donated over $175 million to charity, completed over 1.8 million hours of community service, and has created more than 675 places in 22 countries where families can live, learn and play.

The Special Olympics is globally known and admired for its efforts in changing lives through the power of sport, while encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities and promoting acceptance for all. Close to 3.7 million athletes in over 170 countries all over the world take part in the Special Olympics program through sports training, athletic competition or various other programs supported by Special Olympics.

To learn more about NBA Cares or the Unity Sports Basketball Game, visit www.nba.com/caravan/

To learn more about the Special Olympics, visit www.specialolympics.org

“I’ve been doing this stuff since I was in high school. When I was at the University of Central Florida I did a lot of charity work; such as visits to the Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital, served a lot of Thanksgiving dinners at churches, did speaking engagements for youth attention facilities and visited some jails in the Orlando area to talk to the kids who were in the drug program,” explained Robertson.

“I’ve always wanted to have my own cancer charity program,” he added. “Rather than partnering up with somebody, I can have my initiatives with my own awareness campaigns and goals, stuff to that nature.”

Taylor Robertson was selected by the Calgary Stampeders with the 11^th overall pick in the second round of the 2003 CFL Draft and helped make an impact in the city of Calgary and to Stampeders Nation in no time.

“When I went to Calgary in my first year as a pro, I did numerous events with the Stampeders and helped set up a partnership with the Stampeders and the Canadian Cancer Society that is still in play until this day,” said the 2007 CFL Eastern All-Star.

“While doing everything in Calgary with the Canadian Cancer Society; all the events, promos, meetings, press conferences, etc., in the back of my mind I always thought it’d be great to have my own initiative one day,” described Robertson. “I was very contempt with what we were doing though as we were helping in the building stages of something that is huge,“ he added. “I knew exactly what I wanted to do when it came to giving back to the community and how I would do it and this kind of put everything into perspective for me and gave me a better understanding.”

Although Taylor played a huge role in Calgary, especially during the 2006 season when he helped contribute to Joffrey Reynolds’ CFL leading 1,609 rushing yards, he was traded to the Toronto Argonauts during the offseason in exchange for a 1^st and a 3^rd Round pick in the 2007 CFL Canadian Draft. For Taylor, the move took him away from everything he established in Calgary and everything that he helped with since he arrived, but he was excited to come to Toronto to bring the awareness to a different city.

“Being in Toronto and being on more of a national scale, it has allowed me to do things I couldn’t have done in Calgary, like helping out in the planning and launching of the CFL Pink,” stated the three-time Argos nominee for Outstanding Lineman. “The awareness level in the city of Calgary, we did a lot of great things there, but now that we’re in Toronto and I started my own program, we’ve been able to reach out to different markets and not just one locally.”

“When I came to Toronto, I participated in some Argos programs like the Huddle-Up Against Bullying Prevention program where we went around to schools in the GTA and spoke to the children about anti-bullying and I was also a mentor in The Argos Foundation’s Youth Mentorship Program,” he added.

In September of 2010, Taylor Robertson accomplished what he has always set out to do and that’s creating his own cancer-related charity. Taylor created Life On The Line; a non-profit initiative that supports breast cancer research and helps raise awareness by activating the community, especially men, through events and other awareness programs, as well as helping to raise funds for breast cancer research.

“The one message I always try to convey out there is that breast cancer is a dominantly female disease but men can get breast cancer and the rates are very low, but they’re still there,” expressed Robertson. “The odds of getting breast cancer as a woman is 1 in 9 and for every woman who comes across the disease, there’s a man behind the scenes whether it be a husband, a boyfriend, a father, a brother, a son,” he continued. “There’s someone out there that needs to be there for support and can be educated, whether it’s before, during prevention, during a self-check, during treatment or after treatment.”

Throughout his CFL career, Taylor has continuously worked with the league and the community to help raise the awareness of breast cancer. His community events and programs that he makes available through Life On The Line have raised thousands of dollars over the years for breast cancer research. He understands how vital it is to raise the awareness through sports because with the demographic in professional sports being predominantly males, he needs to connect with them on a level where they’ll be able to get the information across about any Pink events or runs that are going on to help raise awareness.

“We’re trying to get the message out there and with the CFL helping out with the CFL Pink, it has been huge,” explained Robertson. “For every woman that has cancer, there’s a man behind that so we’re trying to incorporate that into sports as much as possible.”

For the many various programs Life On The Line has to offer, Robertson’s personal favourite of their signature programs is the Breast Brunch Ever program which is a brunch they have on Mother’s Day in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. For Taylor, this is his favourite program because he feels that it really gets the message across to the community.

“We made it a point to give out awareness kits in the gift bags at the brunch,” said Taylor. “We wanted people to go home and learn about the risks and more importantly the prevention that they can take. Someone happened to use those tools that we gave out and they came across something that needed further investigation and now they have a clean bill of health and that’s what this is all about,” he added. “We’re not trying to be lifesavers here, because we can’t, we’re just trying to help raise awareness for this disease and help prevent it,” he concluded.

Taylor Robertson understands that his professional football career will not last forever, but he does realize that the events the CFL and the teams that he plays for throughout his career host year after year will not be going anywhere anytime soon. The programs and events will continue to not only help raise awareness, but will continue to raise money as well for breast cancer research. Even after his career comes to an end, the programs and events that are in play to help raise awareness will not be expiring anytime soon. Year after year more and more people will come on board hoping to some day wipe out the disease entirely.

For more information on Life On The Line, visit http://lifeontheline.ca/home

For details about the Breast Brunch Ever, visit http://www.breastbrunchever.com/

Today Mark takes on the name ‘Super Duper’ for reasons far from his ability on the football field. Mark was diagnosed with kidney cancer in early January of this year after doctors found a tumor on his right kidney nearly the size of a football. With the positive confirmation that the cancer had not spread throughout more of his body, Duper underwent a nearly three-hour operation to have his right kidney removed. With the tumor now removed from his body, Duper is feeling like his old self but is well aware of his fortune in finding the disease as early as he did and is now more motivated than ever to raise awareness and fight this deadly disease.

“It’s all about how you take care of yourself and how you approach life,” Mark explained. “I just feel that I’ve been given a second chance in life and I feel that my token of appreciation for what God gave me is that while I’m on this earth I should give to others,” said Duper.

Mark has always been proactive within the community; it was during the Dolphins Cycling Challenge, a 150-mile bike ride to raise money for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center on November 5, 2011 that Mark first felt the discomfort from the growing tumor. His continuing growing efforts to raise money and awareness for cancer treatment is closely matched to his work with troubled teens whom he stresses education to.

“I do a lot of charity work, not just for cancer, but for kids that are in distress,” Duper said. “I do scholarships for kids to go to college, helping better themselves to help others in life.”

As a professional athlete it can be very difficult living your life in the media, especially as a role model for today’s youth. Duper has always recognized that aspect and has embraced it with the best of intentions.

“Football is a profession that is well recognized, even more than the other pro leagues in the United States which means that people look up to these guys coming out of college playing football,” Duper remarked. “It’s great because if the younger generation sees us doing things, doing good, they will hopefully grow up doing the same thing. Hopefully that trend continues for generations and helps build a good society.”

Mark ‘Super’ Duper is now only dealing with the pains from his 11-year NFL career and is very aware and thankful for his survival. Cancer is a scary thing and can change one’s life in a heartbeat. Positivity and hope are powerful things and for Mark Duper they are both essential if ever faced with this battle.

“Surround yourself with positivity and never give up hope. Always be positive, keep a positive mind and a clean body. I think with the grace of God, the good Lord you can over come this with a positive mind.”

No stranger to adversity and hard work, Maurice Mann surrounds himself with the game of football at all times, on and off the field. When he’s not partaking in practice or team exercises, the newly acquired Argos wide receiver spends his time running Performance 5 Elite; a full curriculum training program that teaches young athletes the importance of proper training, preparation, social skills and the proper education in maintaining a lengthy career as a professional athlete, while covering the importance of the path you take to get there.

For Maurice Mann, his path in professional football is different from many stories that we hear about on a regular basis, but it is one that is not uncommon. Mann played for and practiced with six different NFL teams after being drafted by the Bengals in 2004, before making his way to the CFL in 2007.

“I didn’t think of anything else besides playing football for a living since I was a kid. I had made it to that elite level, but you know all that matters growing up being from a small area was to just to make it,” explained Mann.

“It wasn’t about maintaining a career, it was more about living in the moment and enjoying where I was. If I had took a couple different steps throughout my journey, I would have prepared myself better for the opportunity and that’s kind of what happened,” he added.

Performance 5 Elite helps prepare young athletes at an elite level, while demonstrating the essentials necessary in being a true successful professional, on and off the field.

“Through all the various places I was, training was always important to me. I started to put together workouts that resembled the team’s workout I was with at the time. I put that together as an off-season workout, and later met someone who’s a behind-the-books type of guy and we put together a curriculum of things we thought would be beneficial for athletes to know, from combine notes to what drills to prep for, there’s prepping for everything,” said Mann

Stressing the importance of early childhood athleticism, Maurice Mann says he enjoys working with children of all ages and offers different age groups different encouragement.

“The most influential in terms of motor skills and figuring out the type of athlete I want to work with on the field is the younger age of athletes, usually 10-13,” Mann explained. “But as far as the education process of being a professional, I think the high school and college kids are the best to work with. “

For many young aspiring athletes, the mentality and focus remain solely within the game they aspire to play. The reality of the business aspect in today’s sports world is a confusing and daunting aspect that some athletes are not ready to handle after being drafted or even during their journey to success. Proper preparation to keep yourself in the best possible position for your career is an aspect that isn’t stressed on most young athletes.

“The motivation for improvement is very important for me, I always want you to feel like you need to challenge yourself to improve in whatever your weakest at and the things that you’re strong at because that’s a big part of understanding who you are as a person and as an athlete. Just understanding what you need to improve can help you become well-rounded in a lot of other things.”

For Maurice Mann, the journey in which he took to play the game he loved for a living is one worth sharing. A commitment to the development of the next generation of superstars mentally, physically and economically is an important factor for the future of professional sports.

For more information on Performance 5 Elite, visit www.P5elite.com

Since moving to Calgary from Atlanta in 1980, the Flames have stressed the importance of creating a positive impact within the city of Calgary and all of Southern Alberta. Flames Foundation for Life is the charitable arm of the Calgary Flames and focuses on important topics that many southern Albertans may face. Through the organization’s efforts, they are able to tackle issues such a health care, education, hunger and athletics by making them all attainable for all community residents. The Flames Foundation for Life supports the Minor Hockey Association of Calgary and several other amateur organizations; including the city’s three post-secondary institutes; The University of Calgary; Mount Royal University; and SAIT Polytechnic. Their support includes team funding and donations each season over a set period of time.

The Foundation also hosts an annual hockey camp called Flames Even Strength Program which to this day has assisted 2,500 underprivileged children with the chance to play hockey. During the 2010-11 NHL season, the Calgary Flames; Flames Foundation for Life; Hockey Calgary; Hockey Alberta; and Tuxedo Sports, all came together to host Dreams Come True in conjunction with the Even Strength Program. A Hockey Canada initiative; Dreams Come True covers minor hockey fees for 50 youngsters and provides each player with a full set of equipment. The 50 players also got the chance to skate at the Saddledome with a couple of Flames players.

Recognizing the importance of success off the ice has always been important for the Flames Foundation for Life as they support and encourage the ever-growing minds of today’s youth.  In honour of long time Calgary Flames owner Harley Hotchkiss, the Calgary Flames honour students who are members of men and women’s hockey with the chance to receive a $1,000 post-secondary scholarship. The Flames are also committed to the health and well-being of those in Southern Alberta and have various health initiatives and programs. Health issues targeted are that of the prevention of adolescent depression and substance abuse while assuring students of their importance and value within the classroom. Public health care and specialty institutes are also funded in part with the Calgary Flames such as brain, bone and joint institutions.

The Calgary Flames have always played a vital part in the life and security of those in Southern Alberta. The Flames have put the city of Calgary on the map and have helped make them a relevant topic of discussion in North American sports. It wasn’t hard for the Flames to build a solid fan base when they moved to a city that was hockey crazy and they have never let their progression on and off the ice slow down. Their commitment to fully supporting positive initiatives that bring positive changes to the people of Southern Alberta is admirable and appreciated by not only the Calgary fans, but by hockey fans across the country.

For more information on the Flames Foundation for Life, visit http://flames.nhl.com/club/microhome.htm?location=/flames_foundation

Young was born in Saint Vincent, West Indies and moved to the United States as an exchange student when she was 15-years old. After a successful high school career she attended Baylor University and helped lead the team to a 2005 National Championship, as well as being honored with the Most Outstanding Player Award. Selected fourth overall in the 2006 WNBA Draft by San Antonio, Young went on to lead the Silver Stars in both scoring and rebounding, and was one of four rookies selected to that year’s All-Star Game. A dominant and effective player on the court, her work within the community and with children in crisis has been just as, if not more, outstanding than her magic in clutch time.

Sophia Young has been vocal and proud about her involvement with the Roy Maas Youth Alternatives Inc. The Foundation, which is proudly visible throughout Sophia’s website – www.sophiayoungblog.com – is dedicated to improving the lives of troubled or abused children, giving them opportunity for success and a better life. By offering counseling centers, emergency shelters, long term plan and shelters in the San Antonio area, the foundation offers children an escape from the harsh reality they may face. Sophia’s role within the foundation has been more than extraordinary, as she has participated and offered countless hours of her time to these children who have faced realities many of us cant begin to imagine. She has treated some of the care centers young ladies to a shopping spree, assists in annual fashion shows and spends countless hours during the off season helping out as much as she can and it shows as she has helped put a smile on so many young faces.

Sophia, alongside the Roy Maas Youth Alternative Inc., also focus on building a positive foundation based on respect and responsibility while giving kids a chance to fulfill their dreams and live a happy successful life. Not only does Sophia work with and provide care for the children residing with Youth Alternative, but she also provides a blog post on her website called ‘Food For Thought’; which provides words of wisdom and encouragement written and posted by Young herself.  By providing positive Bible passages and short but meaningful thoughts of a joyful life, she is constantly connecting with her fans and admirers on much more than a basketball oriented level.

Like so many great athletes who work for the community in and out of the gym, Sophia Young has shown why she is a true Silver Star and what can be achieved when darkness is over come by the light.

To keep up with Sophia’s blogs and messages of hope, visit www.sophiayoungblog.com

For more information on Roy Maas Youth Alternative Inc., visit http://www.rmya.org/index.html

Brees, who came to New Orleans in March of 2006, made an immediate impact on not only the Saints organization but also the community surrounding the team. The season prior to his arrival was disastrous, not only because of the Saints dismal 3-13 record, but the tragedy that was Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.  Through the Brees Dream Foundation, which was started in 2003; Drew immediately became involved in Hurricane Katrina recovery and in 2007 announced a partnership with Operation Kids in an attempt to rebuild and recreate academic facilities as well as parks, playgrounds, athletic centers, after school and mentoring programs. By revitalizing and restoring child care projects and facilities in New Orleans, Brees instantly became a fan favourite and hero amongst Saints fans; not to mention the on field turn around leading the Saints to a 10-6 record and winning the NFC South Division title.

Throughout his career in the NFL, Brees has never shied away from public appearances for the benefit of others. His foundation was created only two years after his first NFL start and he has worked with multiple companies serving in public service announcements that relate to charity and community improvement. The Brees Dream Foundation was created to advance cancer research and provide care and opportunity for children in need. To date, the foundation has committed and contributed almost $6 million to academic institutions and has participated in a wide spread of charitable causes in areas such as New Orleans and San Diego.

Outside of work within his foundation, Brees has used his status to raise awareness for social issues such as bullying; appearing in an anti-bullying commercial urging today’s youth to take a stand and stop bullying. In wake of the 2010 BP oil spill, Brees, alongside the likes of Sandra Bullock, Eli and Peyton Manning and a long list of actors and celebrities, appeared in a public service announcement to raise awareness of the spill and relief efforts.

During the 2009-10 season, Brees led his Saints to their first ever Super Bowl Championship in franchise history beating the favoured Indianapolis Colts. The win was huge for a city that faced so much adversity and pain but now they had a reason to cheer and celebrate. Drew Brees continues to be a favourite amongst not only those in New Orleans and those down south, but for all football fans alike. His charisma and passion on the field is equally matched within the community. Through the admiration and love he receives from the thousands of kids assisted through his programs, to the numerous community service awards for his work and commitment to improving the lives of others; there is no question that Drew Brees has more than what it takes to be a great quarterback in the NFL.

For more on Drew Brees and the Brees Dream Foundation, visit http://www.drewbrees.com/foundation