Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis was awarded the 2016 Bart Starr Award this morning at the Super Bowl Breakfast at the Hilton Union Square in San Francisco, CA for his community work in the Charlotte community.
“I had the pleaser of calling Thomas Davis to inform him that he would be the recipient of Bart’s award,” Cherry Davis said in a statement. “I came away so impressed by his kindness and courtesy and have great respect for the many ways he has given back to his community. Thomas is the perfect recipient for everything the Bart Starr Award represents.”
Davis overcame three ACL surgeries on the same knee and wasn’t even sure for a point and time if he was going to be able to continue his career.
“About four or five years ago, [Panthers owner] Mr. Richardson had to make a decision with Coach Rivera on whether or not they would allow me to continue my career,” an emotional Davis said. “Think about that. Think about things you would do and this game and the way things happen.”
But after three of the strongest seasons of his career, including a Pro Bowl selection this season, it seems that Davis and the Panthers staff made the right choice.
Davis went on to explain that the only reason he was able to keep going was because of his strong commitment of character and leadership that he brought to the team.
Those life skills gave him a second chance, and now he wants to take his blessings and give it back to the local community.
“Every dime, every cent that we are able to raise for the kids and family goes directly back to the community,” Thomas said. “We feel that if we are able to do that, we can impact so many people. Because that’s the goal. As a NFL player we have a platform and an opportunity to give to these kids.”
“You get so many athletes that turn down the opportunity to be a role model,” Davis added. “I don’t understand that. I don’t get that. We’re in this position for a reason. We’ve been blessed with these talents. We’ve been blessed with this opportunity to be able to take this stage in front of millions. It’s important for us to use that properly.”
Davis and his wife Kelly founded the Thomas Davis Defending Dreams Foundation in 2008.
The mission of the foundation is to encourage students to develop essential life and social skills that will help turn them into leaders of tomorrow.
The foundation wants to show kids that their past doesn’t determine their future, and that they too can reach their dreams.
Since its creation, the TDDDF has provided free programs to better the lives of over 2000 underprivileged children in the Charlotte community each year and has handed out well over $500,000 in aid.
Some of the programs that the foundation runs are an annual youth football camp for boys and girls, a back-to-school supply and backpack giveaway, a Christmas gift giveaway and a Thanksgiving dinner giveaway, just to name a few.
The players of the league who all voted on the award could not have found a more deserving player.
The Athletes in Action/Bart Starr Award was created to honor the NFL player who best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community.
Nominees of the award are collected by the Public Relation Directors of each NFL team, past winners of the award, the Athletes in Action Pro Staff and Bart Starr himself.
Ballots are then sent to each team and voting takes place at the same time Pro Bowl voting occurs.
The award this year was presented by former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy and Starr’s son, Bart Starr Jr.
