Eagles DE Chris Long working to bring clean water to East Africa
CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Chris Long was joined by friends and family Monday night in Center City to raise money to tackle a major issue off the football field.
Chris is working to help those in Tanzania who are in need of clean water.
"It started as a trip to Kilimanjaro and ended up being a life changing experience both for Chris and the people of East Africa," Chris' father and football legend Howie Long said.
"Tanzania is a beautiful place and it has the issue that so many third world countries have which is a lack of clean water," Chris said.
The mission of the nonprofit organization 'Waterboys,' which was started by Chris, is to provide life sustaining well water to East African communities in need by uniting players and fans from all 32 teams across the NFL.
"We've done 26 wells, provided water for 100,000 people. Our goal is to do 32 wells for 32 teams. The next goal after that is to provide water for a million people," Chris said.
The goal Monday night was to raise enough money for one well - $45,000.
That well will be named after the Philadelphia Eagles.
The former Super Bowl champion is an integral part of the bird's defensive rotation and now he is on a roll when it comes to his philanthropy.
He's already pledged more than a dozen game day checks this season to children's education in multiple cities he has played for.
"Just to be a football player, it wouldn't fulfill my kind of satisfaction with the career I've had and the platform I've been given," Chris said.
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