NFL Donates $250K To Henry Ford Health System Fund

DETROIT, MI — A donation of $250,000 has been made to Henry Ford Health System's COVID-19 Detroit Social Justice Fund through the NFL's Inspire Change program. The donation was part of a larger donation to health systems, individual hospitals and non-profit groups in areas heavily impacted by the coronavirus, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Florida, Louisiana and Washington D.C.

While the coronavirus pandemic is affecting communities nationwide, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show African Americans have been disproportionately affected by the virus; African-Americans make up 30 percent of U.S. coronavirus patients despite comprising just 13 percent of nation's population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 78 percent of Detroit’s population is African American.

As part of the multi-year, ongoing collaboration of NFL players, clubs and owners to address racial inequality and social injustice, the Players Coalition recommended the beneficiary organizations. Beneficiaries were selected based on rates of impact and community needs, Henry Ford Health System said in a news release.

"We know that during this difficult time, our minority and low-income communities are struggling disproportionately with the impact of COVID-19," said Players Coalition co-founder and Working Group member Anquan Boldin, a former member of the Detroit Lions. "Communities in Detroit, Chicago, Baltimore and more are getting hit hard right now, and we want to do our part in ensuring these areas have even the basic needs. We are glad we can partner with the NFL to support the organizations who are on the ground providing for these families."

The Henry Ford Health System COVID-19 Detroit Social Justice Fund provides resources to help those on the frontlines at Henry Ford Hospital.

“We are so grateful for the generosity of the NFL and the Players Coalition during this time of incredible need in Detroit and across the county,” said Mary Jane Vogt, senior vice president and chief development officer at Henry Ford Health System. “The support of all of our donors – from organizations like the NFL and the Players Coalition, to individuals who chip in to support our patients and staff – is an instrumental part of our ability to respond to the ever-changing situation of COVID-19.”