As the one beginning participant within the NFL at age 40, Andrew Whitworth continues to admire the NFL neighborhood for his sport on the sphere and his distinctive capability to encourage teammates and others to deal with points that plague underserved Los Angeles communities. Since becoming a member of the Rams in 2017, Whitworth has been a frontrunner in and off the sphere and has been energetic in a wide range of neighborhood endeavors.
Most lately, Whitworth launched its Huge Whit Properties for LA Households program early within the 2021 season, pledging to donate $ 20,000 after every house sport to restore properties in his house state of Louisiana and transfer Angelenos to reasonably priced properties within the face of housing insecurity. In Los Angeles, Whitworth works with nonprofits to assist people pay lease and groceries, make down funds on properties, and furnish properties. As a result of devastation attributable to Hurricane Ida within the state of Louisiana, Whitworth has teamed up with Rebuilding Collectively to hold out fundamental repairs on properties broken by the pure catastrophe and convey them again to a liveable state.
Earlier this yr, Whitworth hosted greater than 30 army veterans with Merging Vets and Gamers in a collection for a Rams house sport at SoFi, and co-hosted the crew’s annual Rams’ Evening for Needs, which can profit the Make-A-Want got here basis for the fourth straight season. For the vacations this yr, Whitworth is constructing an condominium for a mom and three kids who’re within the strategy of transferring from a homeless shelter to everlasting shelter.
“I always remember the moments I spent locally and I’ve appreciated the Rams and their work, to be my companion, to make a distinction to individuals who deserve our help. For me, one of many most lasting issues we will do and one of many largest impression we will have will not be solely profitable soccer video games, but in addition within the communities we stay in. That is the way you create a tradition that spreads outdoors of your constructing, “mentioned Whitworth.” Sport is usually about help. I see it as a father and I’m there to help and watch them, simply as a neighborhood is there to help and watch us every week. My manner of exhibiting that help again is to verify I am locally and serving to individuals to allow them to take the following step they need to take of their lives, simply as I’ve been supported all through my profession within the NFL , however I’m very grateful for the chance to affect life. “
“Ever since Andrew grew to become a Los Angeles Ram, Andrew has established himself as a cornerstone of our group by way of his unmatched management, dedication to service, and talent to encourage others to be the very best of himself,” mentioned Rams Chief Working Officer, Kevin Demoff. “We’re grateful to have leaders like Andrew who has amazed us along with his timeless expertise within the subject and his dedication to enhancing the lives of so many individuals in our metropolis and past.”
Within the wake of the turmoil that ravaged the nation following the loss of life of George Floyd, Whitworth urged teammates to donate to social justice charities and promised to double all donations. As a part of this effort, Whitworth contributed greater than $ 215,000 to the Gamblers Social Justice Fund in 2020 alone and supported 25 Los Angeles nonprofits selling academic inequalities, community-police relations, mentoring packages, jail reform / Use the struggle in opposition to relapse, youth justice, human useful resource improvement, monetary literacy, meals insecurity and homelessness.
On the top of the pandemic in March 2020, Whitworth additionally donated $ 250,000 to the Los Angeles Regional Meals Financial institution to launch the crew’s digital Te’LA’thon for Los Angeles and help COVID-19 response efforts. Whitworth’s contribution funded a complete of 1 million meals distributed to needy Angelenos.
Whitworth has additionally funded Huge Whit STEAM Labs in an elementary and center college to bridge the expertise hole for low-income college students and supply them with development alternatives. For the previous 4 years, he has recruited teammates to affix him for Rams Evening for Needs to assist Make-A-Want increase greater than $ 875,000 to satisfy needs for youngsters dealing with life-threatening ones Struggle ailments.
For final yr’s holidays, Whitworth and his household purchased want lists for 53 households dwelling in disaster motels and shelters. The Whitworths purchased presents for almost 100 kids and offered a $ 500 Albertsons / Vons / Pavilions reward card to every of the 53 households, together with individually wrapped vacation meals.
