NFL Chippewas Make Impact in the Community

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- Former Central Michigan football players now in the midst of National Football League professional careers, or recently retired, are showing their Chippewa pride as they give back in the form of charity.

"It is a testament to Central Michigan University that so many of our alumni who go on to play in the NFL continue to give back to their communities in meaningful ways," Zyzelewski Family Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan said. "Their impact reflects the values they developed here — on the field and in the classroom — and we take tremendous pride knowing that what began in Mount Pleasant continues to make a difference far beyond it."

Every former CMU football player who is currently on an NFL roster participates in at least one charitable effort, and several recently retired former Chippewas maintain ties to their respective long-time charities.

Former Chippewa tight end Tyler Conklin, who signed during the offseason with the Detroit Lions, established a foundation in his name in January 2025. The foundation aims to create positive change in communities, focusing on youth development, education, and health initiatives.

"When I first got into the NFL I was on a team that had a lot of older guys who had foundations and I thought, 'I want to do that one day'," Conklin said, adding that in launching his foundation, he was following the example set by his parents. "Helping people has always been a big part of my upbringing.

"My mom did a ton of different stuff with counseling and suicide prevention, and she was always very active in helping people, and my dad who was always helping neighbors. Growing up, a lot of my close friends had tougher upbringings than I did. Looking back at it, those things have shaped me into wanting to give back and help give people a better opportunity."

The second Tyler Conklin Foundation Youth Football Camp and Community Day is scheduled for Saturday, June 27 at Conklin's alma mater, L'Anse Creuse North High School, in Macomb, Mich. Designed to give back to the community that raised him, the event will provide a full-day experience combining high-level youth football training with a family friendly atmosphere. For more information on how to support the Tyler Conklin Foundation or participate on June 27, click here.

Super Bowl champion, current Arizona Cardinal, and former CMU safety Sean Murphy-Bunting is also hosting a camp in June in Michigan. The SMB Champ Camp is scheduled for June 13 in Waterford Township and is free for seventh and eighth graders. For more information, click here.

"Seeing the joy, confidence and hope in kids reminds me how important it is to use your platform to make a real difference," said Murphy-Bunting. "That impact lasts far beyond football."

In addition to Conklin and Murphy-Bunting, the focus and scope of the former Chippewas' philanthropic work varies widely:

Former CMU quarterback Cooper Rush, now a free agent after an eight-year career, primarily as a backup with the Dallas Cowboys and most recently the Baltimore Ravens, gives to Miracle Flights, a charity that provides airline tickets at no cost to families traveling for life-saving care.
Former CMU offensive lineman Eric Fisher, the No. 1 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, is known for his work with animal welfare and with his work with veterans. He was nominated for the NFL Salute to Service Award.
Offensive lineman Luke Goedeke, who is in his fifth year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is deeply involved with Tampa Bay Waterkeeper, which works to preserve the Tampa Bay Watershed, and with Bucs Babies, which works with area youth and recreation.
Former Chippewa Donte Kent, who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, founded Kent Brothers Charities while he and his brother, Ron, were both playing for the Chippewas. The charitable work aims to serve underprivileged youth in their hometown of Harrisburg, Pa.

Below is a partial list of Chippewas who are currently in the NFL or previously played in the league and many of their philanthropic and charitable endeavors:

CENTRAL MICHIGAN NFL PLAYER PHILANTHROPIC INVOLVEMENT

Current Players

Player	Charity	Philanthropic Purpose
Nick Bellore	CMU Athletics	Donation to CMU Athletics
Tyler Conklin	TC Foundation	Strengthening communities, giving back
Mike Danna	Cause My Cleats	Cancer awareness & prevention
Luke Goedeke	Tampa Bay Waterkeeper	Preservation of Tampa watershed
	Bucs Babies	Community service, youth, & recreation
Thomas Incoom	NFL My Cause	Youth, wellness, community outreach
	Cause My Cleats
Donte Kent	Kent Brothers Charities	Free youth football camps in hometown
	Pittsburgh Steelers	Extended his camps to include Steelers
Sean Murphy-Bunting	Successful Jocks	Game of life, scholarships, camps
Lew Nichols III	Cause My Cleats
Bernhard Raimann	Travis Manion Foundation	Veterans, families of fallen heroes
	Riley's Children's Foundation	Leading pediatric hospital network
Cooper Rush	Miracle Flights	Free flights to families/life changing care
	Perthes Kids Foundation	Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
	Titus Davis Legacy	Efforts to support Titus Davis
Jonathan Ward	Ward's Annual Skills Camp	Youth Camps
	NFL's Crucial Catch	American Cancer Society
	Civil Rights Advocacy	Funds aimed at making a difference
Joel Wilson	Cause My Cleats
	Youth Mentorship	Youth clinics and elementary reading programs

Former Players

Player	Charity	Philanthropic Benefit
Eric Fisher	NFL Salute to Service Award
	Reunite the Fight	Support, work with veterans
	Animal Welfare	Animal lover, helped raise $120,000
	Cause My Cleats
	Hometown: Rochester, Mich.	Variety of initiatives
Kavon Frazier	Frazier Cares
	Cause My Cleats
Joe Staley	Smile Train	Children, health, miscellaneous
	Lucile Packard Foundation	Children's health
	Community work in Michigan	Mother is an elementary school teacher
Frank Zombo	Community Foundation-Rochester	Men's Fund Annual Giving Breakfast
	Youth Empowerment	Team sports, physical activity, mental health
	Catholic Sports Camps	Detroit Chapter, charity events, golf

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