While touchdowns and titles often define success on the field, a player’s true impact is frequently measured by how they give back to their communities. Across the NFL, some of the biggest stars have leveraged their fame and fortune to create significant, positive change. Their work reminds fans that greatness isn’t just about what happens on the gridiron; it’s also about the legacy they build off the field. These athletes are redefining what it means to be a champion.
Which NFL Stars Are Making the Biggest Impact Off the Field?
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Super Bowl LVIII stars San Francisco 49ers’ Brock Purdy and Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes. Credit: Patrick Smith / Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images / NFL
5. Brandin Cooks
Dallas Cowboys Brandin Cooks
Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images
Brandin Cooks has made generosity a cornerstone of his career. The Dallas Cowboys wide receiver and his wife, Briannon, established the Stockton Children’s Fund, donating $50,000 to help school districts and nonprofits in his hometown address child hunger, school closures, and care challenges. His compassion extends globally, as he also helped build twelve homes for families in Uganda, an act inspired by his faith and his jersey number. Last year, he continued this work by hosting the Brandin Cooks Football Camp and Carnival in Stockton. He provided free entry, meals, and transportation for over 750 attendees, most of whom came from underserved neighborhoods. This act of kindness serves as a testament to his devotion. “I want to give glory to Jesus for the success and happiness he brings me,” he says, reflecting his kindness toward others.
4. Drew Brees
Jan 2, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers assistant coach Drew Brees looks on before the game against the LSU Tigers at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers assistant coach Drew Brees looks on before the game against the LSU Tigers at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Louisiana, former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and his wife, Brittany, responded immediately. They made a $5 million pledge to support food banks and relief programs statewide. Their massive donation helped feed thousands of families and quickly became a model for athlete-led crisis response. For the city of New Orleans, this gesture wasn’t just about a quarterback’s legacy, it was a powerful example of a family’s enduring bond with its community.
3. Chris Long
NFL, Chris Long
Feb 2, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Walter Payton NFL Man Of The Year winner Chris Long of the Philadelphia Eagles during media availabilities for the NFL Honors show at the Fox Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
In a remarkable act of generosity, former Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Chris Long donated his entire 2017 base salary, worth $1 million, to charity. That year, Long had signed a two-year contract with the Eagles that included a $500,000 signing bonus, a $1 million base salary, and a $1.5 million roster bonus. His efforts focused on educational programs in several cities, particularly through his First Quarter for Literacy program. Long’s decision to donate his salary made a powerful national statement about the importance of creating equal opportunities in education.
2. J.J. Watt
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Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Former player J.J. Watt in attendance of the Kansas City Chiefs game against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
When it comes to philanthropy, few athletes have made an impact quite like J.J. Watt. Following Hurricane Harvey in 2017, his relief initiative raised a remarkable $37 million for the city of Houston, an unprecedented sum for a player-led campaign. Beyond that incredible disaster response, his Justin J. Watt Foundation continues to invest in youth sports and local initiatives. This ongoing work ensures that even after his retirement, the charitable structure he built continues to support communities in need.
1. Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gets the crowd hyped before an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars edged the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gets the crowd hyped before an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars edged the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Patrick Mahomes’ on-field influence is well-known to fans, but his charitable work is equally impactful. According to the Times of India, his 2025 gala raised $1.5 million for twenty local charities, earning praise from Chiefs heiress Gracie Hunt, who praised the couple’s “beautiful” efforts in October 2024. In a separate report, Marca noted a similar success, with their fifth annual gala raising $1.07 million with 850 supporters. The star quarterback’s 15 and the Mahomies foundation is dedicated to improving children’s health, wellness, and education, cementing his legacy both on and off the field.
These players have proven that they don’t just shine on the gridiron; their off-field contributions are building legacies that will last a lifetime.