NFL and Players Coalition Donate $250,000 to Henry Ford Health System COVID-19 Detroit Social Justice Fund

DETROIT – The NFL, through its Inspire Change program and the Players Coalition, has donated $250,000 to Henry Ford Health System’s COVID-19 Detroit Social Justice Fund as part of a larger donation to health systems, individual hospitals and non-profit organizations in areas heavily impacted by COVID-19,  including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, Florida, Louisiana and Washington, D.C.

While the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting communities nationwide, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show African Americans have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 with 30% of all U.S. patients being African American despite comprising approximately 13% of the U.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, which were then approved by the broader Player-Owner Social Justice Working Group. These emergency donations come from the NFL's dedicated social justice investment. Beneficiaries were selected based on rates of impact and community needs.

"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. "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 will provide vital resources to help those on the frontlines at Henry Ford Hospital to continue delivering high-quality healthcare for the Detroit community and responding to the COVID-19 crisis as efficiently as possible. 

“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.”

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MEDIA CONTACTS: 
Henry Ford Health System: Jeff Adkins / jadkins6@hfhs.org / (586) 307-2027
NFL: Kelsey Boyd / kelsey.boyd@nfl.com
Players Coalition: Angela LaChica / angela@players-coalition.org