Jacobs Students Honored By Chicago Bears As Community All-Stars

ALGONQUIN, IL — When Jacobs High School junior Dylan Christopherson helped to start up an organization that helps provide football equipment to those in need around the Algonquin community, he wasn’t expecting any sort of a pat on the back.

Instead, he, along with Will Seibert and some other friends decided to do something to help out those less fortunate, the plan was all about sharing their love of football with others in the community.

But the two classmates are now being recognized by the Chicago Bears, who, on Thursday named Christopherson and Seibert as the second Community High School All-Star award recipient of the year. The award also involves the Bears making a $500 donation to the organization of the recipient’s choice, the Bears announced.

Christopherson and Seibert teamed up to start the non-profit organization Athletes 4 Athletes, which provides young players with the equipment they need to succeed at the youth football level. The group makes sure that those who need the equipment have it without having to worry about the financial restraints that otherwise might exist.

While Christopherson and Seibert appreciate the honor – which includes being recognized at an upcoming Bears event – the real reward comes in helping out those around him.

“I’m just looking forward to what the ($500) donation and (the) award will do for so many kids’ lives,” Seibert said in a news release.

Christopherson admits to being contacted by the Bears that the Algonquin-based project had been selected as the Community All-Stars award winner.

“I’m so incredibly grateful for this honor,” he said, adding, “I can’t wait to see how much farther Athletes 4 Athletes grows in the future.”

In addition to both being members of Jacobs’ varsity football program, both Seibert and Christopherson are active in their school and community. Both are honor roll students and Seibert serves as the president of the student-athlete association while Christopherson is part of a youth leadership organization that helps freshmen navigate through their first year of high school.

“We are extremely proud of Dylan and Will,” Jacobs football coach Brian Zimmerman said in the release. “The award is a reflection of the types of student-athletes that are part of the Jacobs football program. They are two of the most selfless individuals I know and are not the kind of kids who are looking to get recognition, but more about how they can help in the community.”