Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Calais Campbell accepts the NFLPA Alan Page Community Service Award during a press conference on February 7, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice)
LAS VEGAS — Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Calais Campbell played in all seventeen games in the 2023 season. He had 49 total tackles, and 6.5 sacks. But his biggest award came today during the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) press conference as he was presented as this year’s Alan Page Community Service Award winner.
“Alan Page’s legacy reaches much further than football – it’s one of serving others, furthering education and advancing justice,” said Campbell. “I’ve been blessed to enjoy sixteen years in the National Football League, and I hope to leave a fraction of the impact in the communities I’ve played in as he had on his. He is an inspiration, and I am completely grateful and honored to be mentioned alongside him and to receive the 2024 NFLPA Alan Page Community Award.”
Campbell notched his 100th sack in week six against the Washington Commanders. After the accomplishment, he donated $100,000 to teachers in the four cities he played in — Phoenix, Jacksonville, Baltimore and Atlanta — as part of his “100 Sack Give Back” initiative with the Charles Richard Campbell Foundation.
Each teacher received $500 worth of school supplies and $500 towards other classroom resources. In addition to his $100,000 donations in the aforementioned cities, Campbell also donated $20,000 to teachers in Denver and Miami, where he played high school and college football, respectively.
Campbell said his parents got him involved in the community at young age. He also said he moved around a lot due to tough times, it’s necessary to be involved and committed. Now that he’s got resources, it’s part of his responsibility to give back. Relative to Atlanta’s history from Dr. King, John Lewis, and others, Campbell placed a huge emphasis community service.
Executive Director of the NFL Players Association Lloyd Howell, Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Calais Campbell and NFL Players Association President J.C. Tretter pose for photos during a press conference on February 7, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice)
“When it comes to the teachers specifically, I feel like they have the toughest job,” Campbell said. “A lot of them have to go to their own pockets, to be able to do the job in the manner they’re supposed to. Which is just mind blowing to me. As a country, how rich we are, and the people with the most important job have to go into their own pockets to be able to do their job at an adequate level.”
While Campbell was non-committal regarding his future with heading into what would be his seventeenth season, he described the hire of Raheem Morris as the new Falcons’ head coach as a great one.
“Raheem Morris has great respect around the league,” said Campbell. “I think the fan base should be very excited about the hire. Obviously, it’s a results-oriented business though and right away, no one expects mediocrity. He’s inherited a lot of talent; a roster full of potential that you could go out and win with.”
