Flashing lights, fancy cars and more money to last a lifetime. These are the things people associate with being a professional athlete. For many athletes this statement is true, being the next best player and making as much money as possible is their sole purpose. However, I have noticed over the pass few years several sports leagues and players have been participating and sponsoring various cause related campaigns. In hopes not only to change this stigma but also bring awareness to the issues that are affecting our communities.
It’s not rare to see the National Football League participating in community service events. Just a couple of months ago, the league expressed their remembrance of 9/11 by wearing special gear during the games. This month kicks off breast cancer awareness month; therefore the NFL Crucial Catch campaign in partnership with the American Cancer Society. This campaign is more than wearing pink gear but a method to raise awareness and money in support of getting early examination and continuing the research to find a cure for this deadly disease. Therefore, throughout the month fans can purchase auction apparel from www.NFL.com/auction worn by players and other merchandise apparel to assist in the prevention and spread of this deadly disease.
It’s not rare to see the National Football League participating in community service events. Just a couple of months ago, the league expressed their remembrance of 9/11 by wearing special gear during the games. This month kicks off breast cancer awareness month; therefore the NFL Crucial Catch campaign in partnership with the American Cancer Society. This campaign is more than wearing pink gear but a method to raise awareness and money in support of getting early examination and continuing the research to find a cure for this deadly disease. Therefore, throughout the month fans can purchase auction apparel from www.NFL.com/auction worn by players and other merchandise apparel to assist in the prevention and spread of this deadly disease. 
The National Basketball Association is also known for their dedication to making a better environment for children in the community. Therefore, the NBA Cares: Community Caravan has turned into more than just a campaign but a commit to reach over 10,000 schools and community-based organization by engaging with 15 million fans through the year of 2012. The teams throughout the NBA are participating in several events that touch on many topics and even programs that parents can enroll their children. The programs are geared to education, encouraging students of the importance of reading. Also health and wellness is a key topic that informs kids on the importance of exercising and the benefits to their mental and physical growth. Through hands on service events across the U.S., the NBA is making it a mission to contribute to the improvement of children lives by demonstrating that being an athlete is not all about fame and money but serving others and making a difference in the community.
We have seen both the NFL and NBA go through ups and down of a lockout; however, its still rewarding to see through and during the disagreements that caused related events are still apart of the sports industry agenda. There are so many individuals that are influenced by professional athletes and one would only wish that many would mimic the positive attributes that they do for the community. The NFL and NBA are not the only two leagues that have cause-related campaigns and programs. Major League Baseball has the Strike 3 Foundation along with many athletes creating their personal campaigns and foundations all for the purpose of changing this world for the better. A wise person once said, “the best way to be remembered is by serving others.”
-The Sportsnista ‘95
Picture References:
http://www.nba.com/home/caravan/
http://www.nfl.com/pink
Online-shirt stores. (2008) Make Money Selling T Shirts. Retrieved October 16, 2011 from http://www 
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