Lindsay Huddleston

We always talk about how much more professional athletes can do to give back. In their defense, we don’t know all the things they do because many of them are private about their philanthropic efforts. However, when you hear about an (athlete amateur or professional) I’m sure its not just my heart thats warmed by it. I had a chance to meet and interview  some amazing people when wrote my book Unlikely Saviors: Realizing the Positive Impact Athletes Can Have On Society Through Philanthropy. They included former Fab Five members Jalen Rose and Jimmy King, along with past and now current NFL players. What follows is a brief excerpt from my interview with current Tennessee Titan and former University of Michigan football player Mike Martin.

At first philanthropy was mandatory, but now it’s

something I do on my own. I just do things as simple

as going to youth football camps or going to Mott

Hospital with my teammates. Even on fan day, it’s

the smallest thing that means the most. Not just signing

something but finding the little kid in the corner

who’s quiet and shy and going to hang out with him.

I feel like philanthropy can be on a bunch of different

levels and there are different types. I know just doing

that, that little kid will remember that moment for the

rest of his life. At this point in my (college) career, philanthropy isn’t at all

about spending money—it’s totally passion driven and

all about spending time with others.

This interview was done while Mike Martin was a college player at the University of Michigan. He is definitely a role model for athletes on all levels. He should inspire all of us to move forward with our charitable giving. Now as member of the NFL’s Tennessee Titan’s we can only expect great philanthropic work from Mike Martin, a true “Unlikely Savior”!

Please contact Great Black Speakers to get more information about the book and Unlikely Saviors Philanthropic Project.