BUCCANEERS’ SAPP WINS NFL EXTRA EFFORT AWARD
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle WARREN SAPP has been named the NFL "Extra Effort" Award Winner for September for his dedication to the youth of Tampa Bay.
Sapp’s two-year-old program -- "Sapp for Shoes" -- provides needy children with footwear. This past month, Sapp visited the Tampa Bay Center Mall and fitted students from Lockhart and Tampa Bay Elementary schools with a new pair of shoes from Payless ShoeSource. He has partnered this year with Payless ShoeSource, Hillsborough Education Foundation, and Hillsborough County Schools to provide up to 10,000 pairs of shoes for Hillsborough county students in need.
In 1997, "Sapp for Shoes" provided over 100 pairs of shoes for Hillsborough county at-risk students. He has since expanded the effort and has donated $50,000 towards the purchase of new shoes.
As a young child, Sapp remembers the hardships his mother went through to provide for her family, and also remembers working minimum-wage jobs to buy his own shoes.
The NFL "Extra Effort" Award is presented monthly to a player who has made a significant contribution to his community, either during that particular month or on a continuing basis. Players are nominated by their clubs and the winner is chosen by an NFL selection panel.
Other finalists for the September Extra Effort Award were:
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS:
T TONY BOSELLI attended a fund-raising dinner and participated in a tennis match to benefit the local Boys & Girls Club. He has formed a foundation that recognizes a Most Valuable Teacher in the Jacksonville school district. Boselli awards the winners and runners-up with a donation to enhance the teaching programs at their schools. He also makes time to visit children’s hospitals.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS:
DE PELLOM MCDANIELS has developed a foundation for children named "Arts for Smarts" which encourages children to write creatively and to develop their artistic skills. The program has been in existence since 1993, and was recently recognized by the President’s Committee for the Arts and Humanities as a national model for community-based programs.NEW YORK JETS:
WR KEYSHAWN JOHNSON has sponsored a program called, "Key’s Kids." The program has offered over 200 inner-city and underpriviledged youths the opportunity to attend NFL games. Johnson donates tickets to every home game to be used by inner-city community groups.SAN DIEGO CHARGERS:
G AARON TAYLOR, signed as a free agent in March, has wasted no time in getting involved in the San Diego community. Taylor donates tickets to the Toussaint Teen Center and to New Alternatives, Inc., which are group homes for at-risk children. Taylor also visits both centers to talk with youths.TENNESSEE OILERS:
CB-S ANTHONY DORSETT is involved in the Oilers’ Right Team program which is co-sponsored by the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association and promotes leadership skills, role modeling, and abstinence from drugs and alcohol.###