Former Jets’ Ray Mickens Helping to Create Champions

Former NFL cornerback Ray Mickens spent most of his career with the New York Jets, from when he was drafted in 1996 until 2004.  He then went on to play for the Cleveland Browns in 2005, was signed and waived by the New York Jets roster in 2006, and ended up playing for the New England Patriots for the 2006 season.

Pro Player Insiders caught up with Mickens at the NFL Players party in Indianapolis the week of the Super Bowl.  He told Pro Player Insiders he was rooting for the Patriots because Bill Belichick was his defensive back coach for many years.  As a defensive player, Mickens built up a great reputation and was known as one of the top defensive backs in the league.

Mickens put up impressive numbers throughout his 146 game NFL career, posting 324 tackles, 6 sacks, and 11 interceptions.  However, the most impressive thing about Mickens is his charity work, which he spoke about.  “I have my foundation, it’s called the Ray Mickens Champions Fund.  I help underprivileged kids in the Dallas area and El Paso.  We have reading programs and we reward the kids with trips to the Cowboys games.  It’s fun to do; I enjoy working with kids.”

The Ray Mickens Champions fund was established in 2004 and is a not-for-profit organization.  Their goals are to develop, support and promote programs and educational initiatives that enrich the lives of youths.  In addition to the reading program, the Ray Mickens Champions Fund puts on events and other programs to help improve the lives of children in the Dallas and El Paso areas.

The Ray Mickens Champions Fund puts on an annual celebrity golf tournament and all of the profits go towards supporting the programs the fund provides for youth.  The Fund also hosts The Ray Mickens Celebrity Weekend, which is known as one of the most high-profile fundraising events in the El Paso area.  This event consists of a football camp and health fair in which they give kids free food, posters, NFL grab bags, and autographs.

The Fund also offers a mentor program for high school students.  This program is meant to motivate the students to continue their education and attend college.

Since Mickens is a mentor and advisor for many children in the Dallas and El Paso areas, PPI wanted to know whether Mickens offers any guidance to current NFL players.  He said, “I train the kids – I call them kids now, but they are really young adults – I train them basically in how to be a professional off the field.”  Mickens realizes the importance of professional football players making themselves visible in the community and wants them to do that in the most professional manner possible.

Ray Mickens truly is an inspiration to many because of his ability to use his NFL career in order to better his community.  He invested many years into his career in the NFL and continues to be involved with the organization through his charity work.