Ndamukong Suh Gives Back
BY BLAIR VORSATZ
Ndamukong Suh, taken by the Lions with the number two overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, is already giving back to the people that helped him on his path to success. Suh announced he would donate $2.6 million to the University of Nebraska; $2 million for Nebraska’s Strength and Conditioning Program and another $600,000 to create an endowed scholarship program for the College of Engineering.
Suh is very highly decorated, winning the Lombardi Award (best college football lineman), the Nagurski Trophy (best defensive college football player in the NCAA), the Bill Willis Trophy (top defensive lineman), and the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year Award, as well as several other prominent recognitions. Having recorded 85 (52 of which were solo) tackles and 12 sacks in 2009, it’s understandable why Suh is such a desired player. He is 6’3”, 307 lbs, with a 470 lb. bench press max, a 4.98 40-yard dash time, and a 35.5-inch vertical. On Sports Science, Suh struck a quarterback dummy with 3200 pounds of force, which is more than Ray Lewis and Kris Jenkins recorded when they were featured on the show.
Suh is both incredibly athletic and grateful, which is a very respectable combination of traits. Many professional athletes get inflated egos when they encounter great success and money, but Suh is appreciative of all of the people who have helped him to get where he is today. It is very generous of him to give so much money to such a good cause. Considering the risks associated with professional football, he has made a particularly generous commitment. Within two years of retirement, 78% of NFL football players have wasted away their money, either going broke or becoming financially stressed. The good news for Suh is that the majority of football players are not top 3 picks; last year the 3rd pick was guaranteed $31 million over 5 years. Expecting a similarly sizeable contract, Suh will not have to worry about fulfilling his $2.6 million pledge. Nebraska will surely enjoy not only their renovated facilities and upgraded equipment, but also Suh’s success in the future.
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