WASHINGTON, D.C. – Brandon Copeland has been named Week 15 NFLPA Community MVP after he teamed up with players from across the league to provide 200 families in underserved communities with more than $160,000 in gifts for the holidays.
“Being named the NFLPA’s Community MVP only happens when an amazing team of selfless individuals work together to do something greater than themselves,” Copeland said.
The New England Patriots linebacker made his annual December To Remember event bigger this year after he enlisted the help of 19 other active and former NFL players across 18 states. Copeland, through his Beyond The Basics foundation, surprised 200 families in need each with $800 gift cards to help them enjoy the holiday season after what has been a tumultuous year.
Initially, the unsuspecting recipients thought they were joining a virtual “meet the fan” experience. But once the families joined the calls, Copeland and his various player helpers gifted them with a holiday shopping spree. Joining Copeland for this year’s initiative were Josh Bynes (Cincinnati), Jason Cabinda (Detroit), Blake Cashman (New York Jets), Quandre Diggs (Seattle), Joel Gamble, Alec Ingold (Las Vegas), Darius Jennings, Cameron Lynch, Devin & Jason McCourty (New England), Kevin Minter (Tampa Bay), James Onwualu (Las Vegas), Brennan Scarlett (Houston), Keith Smith (Atlanta), Kyle Van Noy (Miami), Justin Watson (Tampa Bay), Tahir Whitehead (Carolina), Avery Williamson (Pittsburgh) and Deatrich Wise Jr. (New England).
“I want to thank the 19 current and former NFL players for helping Beyond The Basics, Inc. put smiles on some extremely deserving families from underserved communities across the country,” Copeland said.
The annual initiative caps quite the year off the field for Copeland, who was voted by his football peers as the NFLPA’s 2020 Alan Page Community Award winner in January. The eight-year veteran and entrepreneur was also recently named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for his foundation’s efforts, financial literacy advocacy and professorship at his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania.
Despite having his first season with the Patriots cut short by injury, Copeland has remained active off the field, particularly to help those most impacted by the pandemic. As part of his foundation’s Be The Blessing initiative, he donated $50,000 to seven neighborhood stores across six states in the New England and New Jersey areas, surprising grocery shoppers by paying for their items.
Copeland also supported the Tendea Family Emergency Food Initiative that supplies groceries to the elderly and those in extreme need; contributed to Feed the Fight MD, which provided meals from local restaurants to feed healthcare and frontline heroes at local hospitals; and, led both a Back To School virtual assembly for Massachusetts schools as a motivating toll for students in this new virtual environment as well as a free town hall about money management during the pandemic.
In honor of Copeland being named this week’s Community MVP, the NFLPA will make a $10,000 contribution to Beyond The Basics. Also, our supporting partner Pledge It has set up a crowdfunding campaign to benefit his non-profit. Supporters can make a flat donation at the following website: pledgeit.org/brandon-copeland.
Copeland, along with the other 2020 Community MVPs, will become eligible for this year’s Alan Page Community Award, which is the highest honor that the NFLPA can bestow upon a player.
The NFLPA Community MVP program recognizes NFL players who are making a positive impact in their hometowns and team cities. Each week during the regular season, the NFLPA will celebrate one player who has demonstrated a commitment to giving back to his community. Please visit our website to learn more about the program.
