Nnamdi Asomugha made lots of news in the offseason for his play on the field, and his move to the Philadelphia Eagles. But what may not be as well known is Nnamdi’s philanthropic efforts, both locally and abroad.
Asomugha’s charitable nature was developed at a young age by his parents, Godfrey and Lilian. They taught Nnamdi and his siblings that “giving to others is what we’re supposed to do.” His Nigerian parents made it a point to give back to their native home. Asomugha has said his parents were some of the first from their area to leave, and they would send back some of whatever they earned. And they made it a point to go back to Nigeria as well; Asomugha’s first trip was at age 7.
Asomugha’s own personal community efforts seem to have started at East Oakland Youth Development Center. It was there that Asomugha began mentoring and tutoring the youth who attended the center. He connected with the kids and it became very important to him.
A few years later he decided to create the Asomugha College Tour for Scholars Program (ACTS). Through this program, high school students are taken on college tours in different cities across the U.S. So far thirty-six students have had the chance to tour colleges in Atlanta, New York, Boston, and Washington D.C. The program provides the children with a chance to see places outside of their own cities.
“Each of the kids who have gone on these trips was already a good student and was probably going to go to college,” Asomugha says. “But I wanted to make sure they saw the world outside of this area and had a chance to think about college in a city somewhere else. These are trips for exposure to other parts of the country, for eye-opening, really. It gave me a chance to share my love of travel and my love of learning about new things with them, and, I have to admit, I’ve grown as much as they have.” (Success Magazine)
Asomugha, along with his family, also continues to help his homeland. He is chairman of the OWIN Foundation, which stands for Orphans and Widows In Need. OWIN aids widows and orphans in Nigeria, Africa, with educational, spiritual, and vocational training and guidance. There are plans to expand the program to other parts of Africa as well.
Asomugha has said that charity to him is second nature. In an interview in 2010, he says he doesn’t really like to talk about himself or his accomplishments. He feels there are so many people doing things and he doesn’t want all the focus on him. He can do what he does quietly and be happy.
“It’s in his blood,” Lilian says. ”You can say your children are good, but you really see when they are little how they’ll do when they’re older by how they act. He is gracious. That is him.” (ESPN the Magazine)
Nnamdi Asomugha has worked in a variety of ways to support charitable efforts in his community. He serves as the Chairman of Asomugha Foundation. He joined President Bill Clinton in 2009 for 2009 Meeting of Clinton Global Initiative University. He distributes backpacks to incoming freshmen at his former high school, and outfits football and basketball teams with shoes. He has served as an ambassador and spokesman for United Way of Bay Area.
Asomugha’s charitable efforts have been recognized in a variety of ways:
Home Depot Neighborhood MVP in 2007
Nominated for Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year 2008
2009 Jefferson Award winner for Public Service – Dream Team for Public Service
The President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2008
44th Annual Byron “Whizzer” White NFL Man of the Year Award winner 2009
Raiders Commitment to Excellence Award
Named one of three finalists in 2011 for Walter Payton Man of Year Award
