CHARACTER COUNTS

Cardinals’ Zach Ertz named Week 9 NFLPA Community MVP

Nov 5, 2021, 8:23 PM

Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the ...

Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 31-5. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz has been named the Week 9 NFLPA Community MVP after launching the “Score More n’ Feed More” campaign in Arizona and starting the House of Hope project for Philadelphia youth.

“My wife Julie and I are so honored to be recognized by the NFLPA for the work we are doing in the places that we love so much – Philadelphia and Arizona,” Ertz said in an NFLPA press release. “Both places have embraced us and loved us, and we feel grateful to give back to everyone in such a meaningful way through the Ertz Family Foundation.”

The “Score More n’ Feed More” campaign donates 5,000 meals to local Arizona food banks for every touchdown the Cardinals score this season.

In his two games with the Cardinals, the team has scored eight touchdowns, providing 40,000 meals for around the Valley.

Earlier this week, the Ertz Family Foundation broke ground on the House of Hope project in North Philadelphia.

The former Philadelphia Eagle and his wife Julie, a player for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team and Arizona native, donated the first $100,000, followed by a matched donation by the Ertz Family Foundation with a goal to raise $900,000, according to the release.

Once finished, the house hopes to serve 500 Philadelphia youth a week with meals and academic enrichment programs.

Because Ertz was named this week’s Community MVP, the NFLPA will make a $10,000 contribution to his charity or foundation of choice, according to the release. Ertz spends a large portion of his charitable donations focusing on food insecurity.

Winners of the weekly NFL award become eligible for this year’s Alan Page Community Award, which according to the release, is the highest honor that the NFLPA can bestow upon a player.

Presented By
Western Governors University
character counts

Character Counts is a registered trademark of the Josephson Institute.

Character Counts

James Conner of the Arizona Cardinals against the Pittsburgh Steelers...

Arizona Sports

Cardinals RB James Conner wins FedEx Ground award, ‘Angry Runs’ scepter

James Conner got his hat-tip in a few different forms for his play that helped his Arizona Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.

10 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals DT Jonathan Ledbetter...

Tyler Drake

Jonathan Ledbetter named Cardinals’ 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year

The Arizona Cardinals named defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter as their Walter Payton Man of the Year for 2023 on Tuesday.

2 days ago

Casa Grande Union High School...

Character Counts

Casa Grande sophomore making most of his time on and off basketball court

Casa Grande Union High School sophomore Phinneas Linehan aspires to make it on the basketball court with law school on his radar.

2 days ago

Trey McBride lends a helping hand at Boys & Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale...

Tyler Drake

Turkey time! Trey McBride serves up Thanksgiving meals at Scottsdale Boys & Girls

Arizona Cardinals TE Trey McBride dove headfirst into the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale's 16th annual Thanksgiving meal for teens.

14 days ago

Heritage Academy Maricopa (HAMaricopa/Athletics)...

Damon Allred

Heritage Academy’s Abby Dirks works hard to be a good example for all

Abby Dirks knows what it means to be a leader on and off the court. She understands the big picture and her place in it.

16 days ago

...

Aaron Schmidt

Campo Verde’s Addison Gavigan spreads positivity, overcomes academic adversity

Addison Gavigan might don a 3.20 GPA as a senior at Campo Verde High School, but there's more to her academic career than the eye can see.

23 days ago

Cardinals’ Zach Ertz named Week 9 NFLPA Community MVP