Washington D.C. – Derek Carr of the New Orleans Saints has been officially recognized as the Week 17 NFLPA Community MVP after hosting a holiday luncheon aimed at supporting families in need. The event took place on December 21, where Carr and his wife, Heather, blessed nine New Orleans families with gifts and $5,000 each.
“I was shocked when I found out about my nomination for this award,” remarked Carr, reflecting on the recognition, but emphasizing the motivation behind their goodwill. “While certainly honored, the reason Heather and I did this was the realization of being able to help people in need, especially during the holidays.” The luncheon featured dinner and bags filled with $250 worth of gifts for every family invited, along with the cash surprise generating tears of joy and gratitude among attendees.
This is not the first time Carr has reached out to vulnerable communities this holiday season; on December 9, he and teammate Taysom Hill visited patients at Ochsner Health Center, organizing another festive event for patients. Carr’s efforts are driven by his foundation DC4Kids, established to create healthy environments for children. His dedication to philanthropy extends to broader initiatives as well, including support for Valley Children’s Healthcare, inspired by his son’s life-saving care at the facility.
“I hope this helps bring attention to the needs of these and other families,” continued Carr, encouraging more engagement from the public. His recognition as MVP not only includes the $10,000 donation from the NFLPA to his charity of choice but also places him among the candidates for the prestigious Alan Page Community Award, which carries additional significant contributions.
Meanwhile, Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels is making waves as he adapts to life on the pro circuit. Having been the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, his maturity and humility caught the eye of head coach Dan Quinn. Daniels’ potential was initially tempered by coaching decisions to avoid premature leadership roles; instead, players like Terry McLaurin and Bobby Wagner were designated as team captains before Daniels was acknowledged as such.
Despite this deliberate approach, Daniels stepped up during pivotal games, marking himself as the frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Notably, he orchestrated a remarkable comeback against the Philadelphia Eagles, throwing five touchdown passes, which strongly solidified his status and demonstrated exceptional poise under pressure. “You don’t get this from many quarterbacks,” teammate Jamison Crowder commented on Daniels’ performance during crunch time.
Quinn emphasized the value of authentic leadership, stating, “If you annoint somebody as a leader and they’re not, it’s bulls—,” recognizing how real it needs to be for players to support someone they believe in. Through weekly meetings with other leaders on the team, Daniels has quickly developed trust and respect among his peers, illustrating his ability to maintain composure regardless of the situation.
With playoffs on the horizon, the Commanders are hopeful for their first postseason appearance since 2020, and Daniels’ calm demeanor serves as inspiration for the entire roster. “It would be a blessing,” Daniels remarked about clinching the wild card this weekend, highlighting the importance of hard work for success. This sentiment resonates well beyond the field, embodying the spirit of perseverance and community showcased earlier by Carr.
Both Carr’s charitable endeavors and Daniels’ athleticism exemplify how NFL players are more than just athletes; they are pivotal figures within their communities, striving to make significant contributions beyond their on-field performances. The NFL continues to celebrate these players, showing the blend of sports and altruism positively impacting lives well beyond the stadiums.
