Athletes Doing Good

At just 15 years old, Morgan Urso is making her voice heard to end the stigma surrounding mental health, after her hockey team wouldn’t let her participate in the season until she was “better.” Today, we talk with Morgan and her mom, Kelly, Morgan not only shares her mental health story with us, but what she is doing to end the stigma, so no one has to be alone.  Morgan hopes that by sharing her story others learn that it is okay not to be okay. Morgan is another example of an athlete doing good. 

Giving back has always been part of everyday life for Chargers Head Coach Anthony Lynn and news anchor Stacey Lynn. In 2019, the Lynn’s took their passion for helping others to a new level and launched the Lynn Family Foundation with the help of their kids, Danielle and D’Anton. Each day, they work to help individuals recognize and achieve their potential in their personal and professional lives through mentorship, scholarships and experiences. Today, we talk with Danielle and Stacey who give us a glimpse at what it is like running a foundation and their work with Hugs Café and wells in Africa. The Lynn Family Foundation and the work they are doing is another example of Athletes Doing Good.

After losing his sister to brain cancer, David Richman turned his fitness passion into a platform to raise awareness for cancer.  David, author of Cycle of Lives, tells us about some of the 15 cancer patients featured in his book and the remarkable 5,000-mile cross country bike ride that tied it all together. Through his book, David helps us understand the many emotions behind cancer patients, caregivers, survivors, and widows. David, is another athlete doing good.

Only weeks apart, Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta devastated Southwest Louisiana. That’s why Lake Charles natives Jace Peterson with the Milwaukee Brewers and Wade LeBlanc of the Baltimore Orioles are coming together to raise funds and rebuild their community, through the Operation Rebuild Lake Charles Fund. Today, Jace gives us a glimpse at what it was like going back to his hometown to see the devastation firsthand and tells us how we can help the people of Lake Charles. Jace is another Athlete Doing Good. To join in their efforts to rebuild Lake Charles, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/operation-rebuild-lake-charles

What does it mean to be seen, to be known, and to be loved? NFL Linebacker, Sam Acho, answers these questions in his book “Let the World See You: How to Be Real in a World Full of Fakes.” Today, Sam gives us a glimpse of his new book and shares why he is committed to giving back. Sam feared if people saw his emotional and caring side they would shun him or turn him away, but he encourages us to be open and true to ourselves. Through his book, Sam is working to help crack the shell of people who are in hiding and reveals the benefits of a lifestyle lived on purpose. Sam is another example of an Athlete Doing Good.

Washington State University Quarterback Tyler Hilinski was a rising quarterback. To many, Tyler was happy, funny, and one of the kindest individuals on and off the field. While everything seemed to be going well for Tyler, no one knew he struggled with his mental health. In 2018, he died by suicide. Today, we talk with Tyler’s parents, Mark and Kym, on how they are honoring the life of their son through the Hilinski Hope Foundation. Their hope is to help colleges and universities save lives, eliminate stigma and scale mental wellness programs for student-athletes. On behalf of Tyler, Mark and Kym are an honorary example of athletes doing good.

The Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation is dedicated to preventing cancer, providing the best care to those fighting it and finding a cure. Cancer impacts the lives of many individuals, each day approximately 4,950 people hear the words “you have cancer”.  That is why Green Bay Packers’ kicker, Mason Crosby and his wife Molly, want to raise awareness and money to continue the fight against cancer, so people no longer have to hear “you have cancer.” Today, Mason gives us a glimpse at how cancer has impacted his life, his time with the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation and the upcoming Packers versus Cancer campaign. Mason’s commitment to the fight against cancer is just one example of how he is an athlete doing good.

WNBA player, Renee Montgomery made a difficult decision to opt out of the 2020 season to fight social and racial justice reform. In 2019, Renee started the Renee Montgomery Foundation as an effort to serve the community of Atlanta, as a whole every initiative strives to promote love, positivity, and equality to all. Today, Renee gives us a glimpse at what it was like starting her own foundation, working towards change and how others can make an impact by having an opinion!  Renee’s enthusiasm and commitment to her foundation and making a change makes her a great example of another athlete doing good.

Hurricane Laura completely ravaged Southwest Louisiana, leaving families and individuals without their homes or small businesses. That’s why Lake Charles natives Wade LeBlanc of the Baltimore Orioles and Jace Peterson with the Milwaukee Brewers are coming together to raise funds and rebuild their community, through the Operation Rebuild Lake Charles Fund. Today, Wade gives us a glimpse at what it was like going back to his hometown to see the devastation firsthand and tells us how we can help the people of Lake Charles. Wade is another Athlete Doing Good. To join in their efforts to rebuild Lake Charles, please visithttps://www.gofundme.com/f/operation-rebuild-lake-charles.

Wife, mother, grandmother and philanthropist are just a few words to describe Cherry Starr. For 44 years, Cherry and her husband Bart Starr supported the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation and helped raise over $16 million. More recently, Cherry helped start the Starr Children’s Fund to support pediatric cancer research. She carries on Bart’s legacy by writing letters to all 32 quarterbacks wishing them luck before the season starts and asks each of them to sign a helmet for the Foundation’s fundraising campaign. Her commitment to giving back in Wisconsin, Alabama, and across the country makes her an honorary Athlete Doing Good.