Eagles Zach Ertz donates to Camden youth football team

Chad Pradelli Image
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Eagles Zach Ertz donates to Camden youth football organization
Eagles Zach Ertz donates to Camden youth football organization: Chad Pradelli reports on Action News at 11 p.m., November 28, 2017

CAMDEN, N.J. (WPVI) -- Zach Ertz has delivered for the Philadelphia Eagles all season. On Tuesday, he delivered for the youth of Camden.

Ertz and Dunkin' Donuts donated $15,000 in new football gear for the Whitman Park Youth Football program.

"Philadelphia has given me so much for five years now, so any opportunity I have to give back to the city or the surrounding area, I love doing it," said Ertz.

The program is part of Dunkin' Donuts' "Touchdown for Kids" program, where $250 is donated every time the Eagles score a touchdown. Ertz is matching that amount for every time he hits pay dirt.

"I think the safety in youth sports is paramount," said Ertz. "I think each time they step on the field, the parents should know the kids are safe first and foremost."

In years past, the Whitman Park Youth Football program has had to turn away upwards of a 100 kids, because the league and parents couldn't simply afford the gear. But now, with all this new equipment, the kids are going to get on the field.

"The last thing we want to do is send kids back onto the streets," said Brad Hawkins of Whitman Park Youth Football. "The community we live in is not the greatest community, and some of these kids get caught up on the streets. So it hurts when we have to send a kid away."

On this Giving Tuesday, Eagles tackle Lane Johnson also did his part.

Johnson donated all future proceeds from his clothing line, LJ65, to the Philadelphia School District. He announced the gesture at Amedee Bregy School in South Philadelphia.

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