Jenkins Wins NFLPA Byron Whizzer White Award

Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins is remarkable on and off the field.

Jenkins was the recipient Thursday of the Byron “Whizzer” White award at the National Football League Players Association press conference, the highest achievement a player can receive from the NFLPA. The annual was established by NFL players to acknowledge a debt of gratitude to former player and Supreme Court Justice Byron Raymond “Whizzer” White.

“It’s a honor to be mentioned alongside of them as well as proud to be able to standout amongst a league of men that do so much work to impact their own communities,” said Jenkins on the former players that won the award before him.

Jenkins will receive $100 thousand from the NFLPA for the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation. He started his foundation when he saw the need for change in certain communities during his time with the New Orleans Saints.

“I was living in New Orleans and I got to see first hand how much need there is for people who have to give back and give opportunities to some kids in neighborhoods where they don’t get these opportunities,” said Jenkins.

The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation is committed to youth development in underserved communities through programs and initiatives that emphasize education, character, life skills health and recreation.

“With the help of my mom, my wife, family and a bunch of friends around different cities, we are able to expand and really effect thousands of youth and thousands of families,” said Jenkins.

While Jenkins serves as the face of his foundation, his mother is what keeps it running. She serves as the president for the foundation and is the one “in the trenches” as Jenkins described.

“She’s the one that’s really doing all of the work,” said Jenkins on his mother. “I’m the face behind it and she’s the feet. Nothing that we do will be possible without her. She’s really the person getting honored, I’m just the one getting handed the check.”

When Jenkins was a youth, his father signed two kids, Dwayne Gratz and Steven Miller up for football from his Piscataway neighborhood. With the help of Jenkins father, both Gratz and Miller have played in the NFL. Currently, Gratz is signed with the Eagles while Miller is an unsigned free agent.

“That example is something I carry with me and try to replicate on a broader span,” said Jenkins.