Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Friday, March 18 — about your Seattle Seahawks.
Doug Baldwin, Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett Launch Champions Of Change
Seahawks Legends Doug Baldwin, Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett announced today the formation of Champions of Change, a philanthropic effort to fund grassroots non-profit organizations in the Seattle region.
The trio also announced a weekend of fundraising activities from June 24-26, including a sports celebrity basketball game at Climate Pledge Arena. The former Seahawks said their goal is for the game to become an annual event, celebrating Seattle athletes and their causes, but mainly to generate revenue for change-making non-profits in the Puget Sound region. Tickets for the game go on sale today.
"As players, we came together in a brotherhood that set aside individual priorities for the benefit of the team," Baldwin said. "That effort was celebrated, in unity, by this city and region. Our goal is to take what we learned during our championship chapter to build a new team, and once again bring this city and region together, but this time to support the organizations that make our families and communities stronger."
While playing and during retirement, the three Champion Seahawks players have been involved in philanthropy, activism, and strategic community investments. During this time, they realized that genuine collaboration yields stronger results than individual efforts, and that societal change cannot occur without meaningful support for families of all forms. Champions of Change is the result.
In the organization's inaugural year, fundraising events will include:
- The celebrity basketball game on June 26, 2022, featuring legends of Seattle sports teams.
- A "Game Changer" auction and draft party where attendees can donate for tickets to play a variety of games with Seattle sports stars.
- A day of service, when members of Champions of Change will dedicate their day to several projects in the region in partnership with their benefitting partners.
"Our goal is to make the basketball game, auction, and day of service annual events," said Bennett. "We are dedicated to doing what we can to support the local organizations that have been the longtime support system for families within their communities. Doug, Cliff, and I intend to supercharge the work we have seen change the lives of families throughout the region, and we are asking others to become part our team."
"We have a lot of friends in the sports community," said Avril. "While I don't want to spoil the surprises, you can be sure that the game will feature well-known players from our team, and former or current players from the Mariners, Storm, Sonics, Sounders, Reign, Huskies, Cougars, as well as NBA, MLB, and NFL players raised in this area. You can count on this: fans are going to enjoy the game."
Each of the grassroots non-profits being supported by this year's events are sustaining a path upon which families can heal from traumas, and take their own steps toward providing a stable, healthy and loving home for their children.
In 2022, benefitting partners include:
Odessa Brown Children's Clinic is an enduring community partner with a dedication to promoting quality pediatric care, family advocacy, health collaboration, mentoring and education in a culturally relevant context. The clinic's founder, Odessa Brown, fought to bring quality healthcare with dignity to children in the Central District during the civil rights era. Her vision became reality and today her legacy clinic sets the standard for comprehensive care and continues to be a primary support network for families throughout the Puget Sound region.
DADS is a grassroots organization leading a movement to eradicate the epidemic of absent fathers in America. They are committed to giving fathers hope by walking together in supportive community, and helping navigate relational and legal barriers separating them from their children and families. The goal of DADS is to restore families by empowering absent fathers to be responsible family leaders and stop the cycle of family violence and brokenness in order to provide a protective and loving path for children.
Women United Seattle is a respite for kinship caregivers and the children they care for. Research has shown children who have absent or unfit parents thrive better mentally and emotionally when paired with relatives rather than strangers; yet, there is not currently systemic or sustainable support for kinship families. That's the gap United Women Seattle aims to fill in South King County. The organization was founded by Alesia Cannady, a grandmother now raising her granddaughter, so she brings a deep understanding of the needs of kinship caregivers like herself - a supportive community offering love and encouragement, as well as assistance with the activities and essentials the children they care for need.
Humble Design Seattle serves local families emerging from homelessness by transforming empty houses into welcoming homes. The homes are curated by design teams that personalize decor based on their clients' needs, preferences and photos or images that are meaningful to the families. More than a makeover, it's a start over. Generally, more than 50% of individuals return to homelessness within a year of securing housing. For those moving into a Humble Design home, less than 1% return to homelessness.
Dignity for Divas believes restoring the self-worth of women who have been unhoused is the first step on the road to stability and self-sufficiency. Their unique program of counseling and workshops helps women overcome trauma and gain tools to live a purposeful life. This puts them in a better position, both emotionally and mentally, to successfully transition out of homelessness. Their Dream Academy in downtown Seattle provides counseling services, resume building classes, technology training, interpersonal skills and wellness classes.
For more information about Champions of Changes and upcoming events, visit Championsofchange.org.
Social Post Of The Day
With all of the big names on the move across the NFL, Tyler Lockett is already thinking about how next summer's edition of Madden will look.
More From Around The Web
At Seahawks.com, track all of the Seahawks' activity during free agency here.
Also at Seahawks.com, Pete Carroll and John Schneider discuss new additions Noah Fant, Shelby Harris and Drew Lock.
Matty F. Brown of Sports Illustrated says newly signed LB Uchenna Nwosu fills one of the Seahawks’ biggest needs.
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times summarizes the Seahawks’ moves in free agency through Thursday.
Check out photos of Seahawks tight end Noah Fant from his college days in Iowa and first three seasons in the NFL with the Broncos.
Iowa tight end Noah Fant catches a pass during a drill before the team's NCAA college football spring scrimmage, Friday, April 20, 2018, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa tight end Noah Fant (87) celebrates in front of Northern Iowa defensive back A.J. Allen, rear, after catching a 43-yard pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa tight end Noah Fant celebrates after scoring on a 5-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northern Iowa, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa tight end Noah Fant runs up field after catching a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 23-0. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa tight end Noah Fant (87) runs from the defense of Purdue safety Jacob Thieneman (41) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Iowa wide receiver Noah Fant in the first half of a NCAA college football game between Illinois and Iowa, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2018, file photo, Iowa tight end Noah Fant scores on a 5-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northern Iowa, in Iowa City, Iowa. Fant is a possible pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Iowa tight end Noah Fant runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Iowa tight end Noah Fant runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
FILE - In this Saturday, March 2, 2019 file photo, Iowa tight end Noah Fant runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson spent their three years at Iowa trying to one-up each other in a friendly but fierce competition. So, why should the NFL draft be any different? The latest members of the Hawkeyes' long pipeline to the pros are expected to become the first tight end duo from the same school ever selected in the first round of the draft.(AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Iowa tight end Noah Fant poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after the Denver Broncos selected Fant in the first round at the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Denver Broncos first-round selection in the NFL Draft, Noah Fant (1), a tight end out of Iowa, holds up his new jersey as, from left to right, his girlfriend Averee Anderson, mother Kathy Fant and father Willie Fant of Omaha, Neb., join in for a photo after a news conference at the football team's headquarters Friday, April 26, 2019, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Iowa tight end Noah Fant speaks on the phone backstage after being selected by the Denver Broncos during the 2019 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Iowa tight end Noah Fant holds his jersey on stage after being selected by the Denver Broncos during the 2019 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) celebtrates his touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) walks on the field while warming up before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/Justin Edmonds)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) scores after taking a pass from quarterback Jeff Driskel during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) works during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 34-27. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant hauls in a touchdown catch as Buffalo Bills linebacker Andre Smith defends during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) lines up against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan.. 3, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Justin Edmonds)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) runs against the Las Vegas Raiders during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) celebrates a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) takes part in drills during an NFL football training camp at the team's headquarters Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) protects the ball from New York Giants' Lorenzo Carter (59) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Logan Ryan (23) and Jabrill Peppers (21) tackle Denver Broncos' Noah Fant (87) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) runs after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) scores a touchdown as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens (21)cloaks on during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) signals on the line against the Baltimore Ravens during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) catches the ball against the Baltimore Ravens in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Bart Young)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) against the Las Vegas Raiders during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Denver. The Raiders won 34-24. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) rushes against Cleveland Browns defensive back Ronnie Harrison (33) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) lines up for a play during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) makes a reception against the Cleveland Browns during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) plays against Cleveland Browns defensive back Ronnie Harrison (33) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant is hit by Philadelphia Eagles free safety Anthony Harris, left, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant during the first half an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) catches the ball against the Detroit Lions in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec 12, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Bart Young)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) is pushed out of bound by Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) runs after the catch during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. The Chargers won 34-13. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) runs after the catch during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. The Chargers won 34-13. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
A detail of the back of Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant's jersey prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. The Chargers won 34-13. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) catches a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday Jan. 2, 2022 in Inglewood, Calif. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 34-13. (John McGillen via AP)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) takes the field during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) catches a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
