St. Louis Rams linebacker Chris Draft, Founder of the Chris Draft Family Foundation, has been selected as a JB Award recipient, an annual honor bestowed upon 12 active NFL players in recognition of their off the field contributions. The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and NFL PLAYERS partnered with James Brown of CBS Sports “The NFL Today” to create the NFL PLAYERS Gala Featuring the JB Awards.  This year’s Gala will recognize NFL players who exemplify leadership, dedication, and commitment to team and community.  Winners of the JB Award automatically become finalists for the Byron “Whizzer” White Award, an award named in honor of former NFL player and Supreme Court Justice Byron White. Both awards will be presented at the annual NFL PLAYERS Gala Washington D.C. on April 16, 2009. 

Annually, each NFL team nominates one team member for their commitment to achieve excellence off the field through building better communities and stronger families. Of the 32 nominated players, James Brown then reviews the submissions and personally selects 12 players to receive the award. One of those 12 JB Award recipients will also receive the Byron “Whizzer” White Award, the NFLPA’s highest honor, on April 16. 

“I am honored to be selected as a recipient of a JB Award for 2009,” said Chris Draft. “It is a great feeling to be identified with other NFL players who are dedicated to a movement that fosters positive and significant change across the country.”  

Since 2006, Chris Draft and the Foundation have worked diligently to build a strong alliance of caring people and corporations committed to social change.  Harnessing the unparalleled reach of the St. Louis Rams to leverage the NFL and community of sport is paramount to the success of the Foundation’s seven primary initiatives that represent a nationwide movement of self-awareness and empowerment.  The Foundation’s initiatives focus on health, wellness, literacy and character education, emphasizing personal responsibility and self-discipline. 

The premier event of the 2008 season was the Counting Our Blessings Gala: A Tribute to St. Louis.  The Gala focused on celebrating the Foundation’s efforts to support programs, events as well as community and corporate organizations that seek to make a positive and lasting impact on children, families and communities.  “Small change can make a big difference” is a consistent theme that permeates the work of the Foundation and drives forward the movement for social change.  Harnessing the power of sport and sports philanthropy to uplift and empower communities has allowed the Chris Draft Family Foundation the opportunity to engage in a myriad of events across the United States, furthering the Foundation’s vision to discover new resources for social good and positive change across the country. 

The Foundation’s activities in St. Louis throughout 2008 have included: , A Discussion and A Movie™ - The Great Debaters, the Dance St. Louis “The Most Beautiful Sport in the World” Campaign, “Continuing the Debate” with Nate Parker from The Great Debaters, PHL Football Field Restorations, Home Depot Neighborhood clean-ups and the Foundation’s signature fitness camp for the whole family: St. Louis Style.  Across the country, the 2008 season brought the Asthma Team™ to every away city the St. Louis Rams travelled to, the Foundation’s signature fitness camp was held in Phoenix during Super Bowl XLII, and A Discussion and A Movie™ - The Great Debaters programs were held in 4 cities for 1000 students.


The other 2009 JB Award recipients and Byron “Whizzer” White Award finalists include: Kurt Warner (Arizona Cardinals), Isaac Bruce (San Francisco 49ers), Mike Furrey (free agent most recently with the Detroit Lions), Daniel Wilcox (Baltimore Ravens), Gary Brackett (Indianapolis Colts), Tony Pashos (Jacksonville Jaguars), Greg Camarillo (Miami Dolphins), Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints), Brian Dawkins (Philadelphia Eagles), David Thornton (Tennessee Titans) and Rock Cartwright (Washington Redskins).