Many athletes all over the world not only contribute to their sport, but also help the community in more ways than one. Whether it happens to be donating money to a school, visiting sick kids in the hospital, or creating an organization, many athletes have helped the world and used their platforms for good.
Lebron James’s name has been heard all throughout the world. Many people know James, or “The King,” because of his amazing basketball skills, which resulted in him getting two Olympic gold medals and being one of the best players in the NBA. But he has done a lot more off of the court than people think. In 2011, James partnered with Akron Landmarks and Akron Public Schools to make a school in his hometown, Akron, Ohio. According to the school’s official website, I Promise had been built and dedicated to students between the grades of K-8 who “are already falling behind and in danger of falling through the cracks.” James co-runs the school as a vice principal, alongside the principal Brandi Davis. The school helps over 1,000 students, and the population of the school grows day by day. The school provides less fortunate children with resources and positive authority figures to guide them to success. When asked about building the school, James replied, “Everything these kids are going through- the drugs, the violence, the guns, everything they’re going through as kids, I know. For me to be in a position where I have the resources, the finance, the people, the structure and the city around me. . . Why not?”
As a North Carolina native, NBA legend Michael Jordan created a name for himself. His popularity on and off the court helped his college, the University of North Carolina, become a well known place for young basketball players to get on the map. Along with James, Jordan became one of the most popular NBA players because of his phenomenal basketball skills and the way he used his wealth and platform to help others. In 2017, Jordan gave seven million dollars to Novant Health to open two clinics in Charlotte, North Carolina. The clinic specifically provides care for residents of Charlotte. According to CNN, “the clinic will offer typical primary and preventive care, but will also provide resources to communities with little or no health care.” The hospital has been open during the pandemic and has been eager to help those in need. Not only did Jordan open a clinic, he also donated a hundred million dollars that he had made selling and designing his signature shoes. He also voiced his support for the protesters in the George Floyd protests. CNBC quoted Jordan when he said he stood by protestors for, “calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of color in our country. We have had enough.”
Kobe Bryant had such a huge impact on not only North America, but people all over the world. So imagine the shock people felt when they learned that Bryant and his daughter, along with seven other victims, had died in a helicopter crash in early 2020. Although he died, his legacy and the wisdom he left behind impacts people not only when they pick up a basketball, but when they look around and see the change they can do in their community. The NBA official website uploaded a page where some of Bryant’s contributions to the world have been listed. To name a few, Bryant started granting wishes via Make-A-Wish Foundation in 2010 and had made over 250 wishes come true. In 2013, Bryant addressed dozens of young athletes from around the world in his annual summer basketball camp. He also worked alongside former president Barack Obama in 2010 to assemble care packages for the wounded warriors in Washington, D.C.
The famous names mentioned above exhibited traits that occur in the personalities of great leaders, like responsibility, individuality, and perseverance. They have impacted people, giving them a role model to help them through tough times. Athletes can be more than just what sport they play; they use their platform and money to help others around them. Be it a simple donation or volunteering time, actions really can change the world.
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