David Nelson has missed some team activities. For some of the time he was rehabbing with his trainer to avoid a set back at all costs, something the coaching staff encouraged. But Nelson also had another reason for missing time, an excuse that sets Nelson apart.
During his time away, Nelson was busy establishing an orphan foundation with his two brothers Patrick and Daniel. The primary focus of his work will be on countries like Haiti and Uganda. Nelson cleared the situation with the Browns before missing time so he could put the final touches on his foundation, which includes 8 cottages and 80 kids, and is overseen by his brothers. For some time now, Nelson has been involved in helping the orphans in Haiti, but this summer decided he needed to take a hands on approach. The only way to do this was to actually be on site for the establishment of the foundation. “Well in January my brothers and I started building the orphanage over in Haiti, the first orphanage in Haiti, and we wanted to give these kids a home, help them find a purpose in life and give them food, give them water, give them shelter, and give them love and give them a family.”
Nelson says he has always had a soft spot for kids with no parents and concerns about the situation in Haiti, but after taking a trip over there about a year and a half ago those concerns became very real for him and he felt something had to be done. “Once you go and meet and hug these kids and see them, ya know a lot of times in life we do things consciously or subconsciously to get something out of it, and a reward or motivation, and these kids they don’t have anything to give you fame or attention, just love, and that’s the greatest fulfillment.”
Of course, Nelson doesn’t like missing any time, but there are some things more important than football. “Once you meet these kids, you are never the same. They have touched my heart in a way where I can’t sit back and hear about them. I have to be there to help and lead people who can go in and help.”
David Nelson has had a very interesting path since entering the NFL back in 2010. After winning several national championships at the University of Florida, Nelson went undrafted following his senior year. He got his chance to play football when the Buffalo Bills signed him as an undrafted free agent prior to the 2010 season.
Nelson showed improvement over his time in Buffalo, and became one of the team’s top targets in his second season, hauling in 61 receptions for 658 yards and 5 touchdowns. Nelson and fans had high expectations for his third season, but tragedy struck when a devastating knee injury ended his 2012 season.
The Bills chose not to re-sign Nelson this past off-season but he wasn’t on the market long, and Cleveland Browns quickly signed the three year vet to a one year deal. The Browns released Nelson on August 31 and he is now a free agent with football as his top priority.
On or off the field, Nelson he will be making a difference somewhere.
