Lonnie Johnson's Picks with Purpose

Please join me in helping to develop strong, smart, responsible, healthy young men and women in my hometown of Gary, Indiana by pledging for every interception that my Texans teammates and I have this season.

Each week during the regular season, the NFLPA #CommunityMVP program recognizes one player who has demonstrated a commitment to making a positive impact in his community. I am humbled and honored to be chosen as the Week 3 NFLPA Community MVP for paying for the funeral of Curtis Walton Jr., a 14-year-old who tragically drowned in my hometown of Gary, Indiana.

Growing up in Gary, I saw multiple friends die young due to gun violence. When I heard the news that a teen from Gary had passed away in a terrible accident, I felt motivated to help. While I didn’t have a personal tie to Curtis Walton Jr. or his family, I know the heartbreak of losing someone all too well. I saw this as an opportunity to help my city that has shaped who I am today – at the end of the day it’s not about what you have accomplished, it’s about what you’ve given back.

In recognition of being named this week’s NFLPA Community MVP, the NFLPA has kicked off my Picks for a Purpose campaign by making a $10,000 to Gary Steelers Pop Warner Little Scholars program. This is your chance to become a Community MVP with me by making your pledge.

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WHO YOU’LL BE SUPPORTING

Pop Warner Little Scholars exists to use football, cheerleading, dance and a respect for education to develop strong, smart, responsible, healthy young men and women, giving them experiences that build their appreciation for and understanding of leadership, teamwork, and discipline.

Pop Warner seeks to provide fun athletic learning opportunities for children, while emphasizing the importance of academic success. Specifically, Pop Warner seeks to familiarize players and spirit participants with the fundamentals of football, cheerleading and dance. Pop Warner strives to inspire youth, regardless of race, creed or national origin, to practice the ideals of sportsmanship, scholarship and physical fitness as reflected in the life of the late Glenn Scobie “Pop” Warner.

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THANK YOU!

This campaign goes beyond football. It’s about giving to those who truly need and deserve our support. Thank you for supporting my cause and all of your support throughout my career!

- Lonnie Johnson