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NFL and United Way

Giving kids the tools and support they need to succeed

Making a direct impact in communities nationwide through programs designed to help kids develop healthier minds and bodies:

UNITED WAY PLAYER(+) Using Power for Good Learn More Character Playbook Building Healthy Relationships Take the Quiz NFL & United Way
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The Latest

Our Partnership
2016
2016
NFL-United Way TV ad featuring Steve Smith of the Baltimore Ravens
2016
2016
A nationwide initiative focused on youth character education and healthy relationships for middle school students was launched at Ariel Community Academy by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and United Way President and CEO Brian Gallagher in the presence of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Bears Owner Mike McCaskey, United Way Metro Chicago CEO Wendy DuBoe, Chicago Bears alumni, leading NFL Draft prospects and over 600 very excited students.
2015
2015
The NFL supports United Way's efforts to actively raise awareness about human trafficking and support potential victims by providing additional funding to the Arizona 2-1-1 to cover calls before and during the Super Bowl. Street teams of volunteers trained to engage and share information were out in the city to distribute materials with tips for recognizing the signs of trafficking victims and information on whom to call for help.
2014
2014
NFL-United Way TV ad featuring Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks
2014
2014
Buffalo Bills Linebacker Arthur Moats wins championship title in a league-wide competition to recruit the most volunteer readers, tutors and mentors. With 7,932 pledges, Arthur Moats earned the title United Way Super Recruiter and won $10,000 for United Way of Buffalo & Erie County.
2013
2013
NFL-United Way TV ad featuring Nnamdi Asomugha of the Philadelphia Eagles
2013
2013
Roger Staubach and Franco Harris co-chair the 40th anniversary of the NFL and United Way partnership with a nationwide vote powered by USA TODAY Ad Meter to identify the public’s favorite NFL-United Way PSA from the last 40 years. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 1999 PSA featuring linebacker Derrick Brooks is named the fan favorite. Read More
2012
2012
NFL-United Way TV ad featuring Nnamdi Asomugha, Cam Newton, Chris Canty, Brandon Carr, Josh Cribbs
2012
2012
In celebration of United Way's 125th Anniversary, the national organization hosts a Youth Empowerment Summit in the nation’s capital with 18 United Way TEAM NFL players, 39 high-performing students from his market’s most challenged high schools and 21 college interns for three days of learning, ideation, inspiration and advocacy. Read More
2011
2011
NFL-United Way PLAY 60 TV ad featuring Israel Idonije of the Chicago Bears
2011
2011
First year of United Way TEAM NFL, a core group of college-educated, civic-minded NFL players from across the country who teamed up with United Way to help recruit NFL fans as volunteer readers, tutors and mentors. Over three years, players would use their celebrity and reach to register more than 39,000 volunteer pledges.
2010
2010
United Way teams up with NFL for Back to Football Friday—a nationwide campaign to celebrate the return of football and raise awareness and resources for youth health and wellness. The campaign encourages fans to wear their favorite NFL team gear and take action to show they care about getting kids active and healthy. The promotion acquired more than 35,000 email addresses increasing UWW's database by 55%.
2009
2009
NFL-United Way TV ad featuring Mario Williams of the Houston Texans
2009
2009
NFL-United Way TV ad featuring LaDainian Tomlinson
2009
2009
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and 80 other executives from the league’s official corporate sponsors volunteer for United Way’s NO Place Like Home campaign—a partnership to help more than 500 families affected by Hurricane Katrina move into permanent housing.
2009
2009
NFL players from each of the 32 teams join United Way's new LIVE UNITED billboard ad campaign with the Advertising Council The first TV/radio ad features LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers.
2008
2008
NFL-United Way TV ad featuring Tom Brady of the New England Patriots
2008
Read More
2008
In celebration of the 35th anniversary, the NFL & United Way Traveling Exhibit—an eight-foot, multi-dimensional display designed to tell the story of the longtime partnership—visits 14 NFL stadiums across the country over the course of the 2008 season culminating at Super Bowl.
2008
2008
J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver of the Jacksonville Jaguars become the first NFL team owners to receive the prestigious United Way Tocqueville Award--bestowed for their outstanding leadership, philanthropic spirit and strong commitment to improving lives of Northeast Florida children and families.
2008
2008
The NFL and United Way are first to market in America on a brand new technology, Text-to-Give, to support youth health. The promotion raised more than $10,000 on Super Bowl Sunday with a single 10-second ad.
2007
2007
If imitation is the highest form of flattery, United Way achieved it in 2007 when NBC's Saturday Night Live teamed up with Peyton Manning on a parody of the historic NFL-United Way ad campaign. Read More
2007
2007
United Way partners with NFL on new youth health and wellness initiative, NFL PLAY 60, designed to encourage youth to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
2006
2006
NFL Charities awards $1 million in grants to support 10 United Ways caring for evacuees of the 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In addition, the NFL Disaster Relief Fund awards $500,000 to United Way of America to work with United Way Mumbai on a project that yielded 173 permanent, earthquake-resistant, single-family homes for victims of the 2004 tsunami.
2005
2005
The NFL and United Way launch the Lend a Hand campaign to inspire Americans to volunteer. The ads drive viewers to unitedway.org to get involved in the community.
2004
Read More
2004
The NFL donates $1 million to the United Way Disaster Relief Fund to assist victims of unprecedented hurricane activity in Florida. $700,000 was distributed immediately to agencies and volunteer workforce organizations. The remaining $300,000 was used to empower volunteers to help with storm recovery for eligible residents. Using small grants, 127 projects were completed impacting 150 homes and churches.
1999
1999
The NFL and United Way launch a national day of community service called Hometown Huddle, a league wide day of service designed to bring awareness and impact to important community issues. During Hometown Huddle, NFL players, coaches and leadership participate in a variety of activities and service projects in different NFL cities across the country on the same day.
1998
1998
The NFL and United Way celebrate their 25th Anniversary with the first annual Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show.
1997
1997
Dallas Cowboy Hall of Famer Roger Staubach joins United Way of America’s Board of Governors. He serves from 1997 to 2000.
1991
1991
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue joins United Way of America’s Board of Governors. He serves from 1991 to 2002. He chairs the board from 1998-1999.
1983
1983
Pete and Carrie Rozelle chosen as the first couple ever to receive the Alexis de Tocqueville Award, the highest honor given by United Way.
1973
1973
NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle and United Way of America establish the NFL & United Way Partnership to increase public awareness of social service issues facing the country. The duo launch the largest public-service advertising campaign in the nation's history called Great Moments. In year one, the series received a gold medal from the International Film & TV Festival of New York.
See the History

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