Athletes often get a bad reputation for being selfish or doing stupid things so it is always refreshing to hear about an athlete that sets a good example, gives back or is a genuinely good dude. Pittsburgh Steelers' linebacker (and former Michigan Wolverine) Lamarr Woodley is one such guy. This week, he donated $60,000 to the Saginaw, Michigan school system to cover "Pay-for-Play" fees that all district athletes must pay. For high school athletes, that amounted to $75 for the year.
Even though Woodley makes a lot of money doesn't mean that this is not a big deal. The mere fact that it is news means that not enough athletes are making a difference and giving back. Having 7 cars, 3 houses, 4 baby-mommas and a huge entourage seems to be the normal way for an athlete to spend their money. An athletic director at the arch-rival school of Woodley's Saginaw High believes that "there are a lot of millionaires out there who make no impact on their community, but Lamarr Woodley has gone out of his way to make a tremendous impact on his community."
This isn't Woodley's first time giving back. According to an ESPN.com article, he donated 100 hooded sweatshirts to
the Saginaw high school's "Mighty Marchin' Trojan Band" before it performed
at halftime of the Sugar Bowl between Michigan and Virginia Tech.
Woodley's actions may have a lasting impact on some of the district's athletes according to one Saginaw high school football player. Terrance Spiller said, “Our team, it teaches us discipline. How to be a man in a way.
Responsibility, like being here on time. Work ethics and how to get along with
others, so it carries over into school and the real world when we go off to
college and he’s just giving everybody a chance to continue that.”
Woodley is not perfect (even though he is a former Michigan Wolverine) but he does understand the importance of giving back and in the words of Steelers' coach, Mike Tomlin, "the responsibility of being Lamarr Woodley".
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