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Monday Round-Up: Seahawks Bobby Wagner Creates Phenia Mae Fund In Partnership With Virginia Mason Franciscan Health

In honor of his late mother, Bobby Wagner partnered with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health to create the Phenia Mae Fund dedicated to educating and assisting stroke patients.

Jul 10, 2023 at 03:15 PM

Maliik Obee

Seahawks.com Contributor

Good afternoon, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Monday, July 10 — about your Seattle Seahawks

Bobby Wagner Partners With Virginia Mason Franciscan Health To Start Phenia Mae Fund

It's been a busy offseason for linebacker Bobby Wagner since returning to the team via free agency in May. After devoting ample time for charitable efforts to help others, Wagner joins the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health to create the Phenia Mae Fund in memory of his mother, Phenia Wagner.

In memory of my mom, I wanted to share on her birthday that I’ve partnered with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health to create the Phenia Mae Fund - Our goal is to assist stroke patients and promote stroke education. https://t.co/ZM6ztlhPc7
— Bobby Wagner (@Bwagz) July 8, 2023

Since Wagner's selection by Seattle in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Seahawks fans have watched the Utah State alum blossom into a superstar and leader on-and-off the field. The Super Bowl XLVIII champion's documented resume of philanthropic works in the communities of the Pacific-Northwest goes back before his 2019 nomination by Seattle for the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Wagner's rise to becoming one of the league's most-respected men is a testament to his perseverance, after losing his mother Phenia to a heart attack as a freshman at Utah State in 2009. Complications from a stroke led to the loss, leaving his father to help his son through tragedy. After being nominated for the award, Wagner thanked his father for his part in helping him persevere while keeping his mother's name alive.

"And I'd also like to thank my dad as well," said Wagner. "Because I know it was tough for him losing the person he thought he was going to spend the rest of his life with. He has been an inspiration to me as well… He has been an amazing role model, an amazing person, an amazing help in my life."

With #StrokeAwarenessMonth coming to a close, @Bwagz has established a fund in memory of his mother who passed from stroke complications while he was in college.

The Phenia Mae Fund will assist stroke patients + promote stroke education including efforts with @CedarsSinai. pic.twitter.com/EhAx27p28L
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) June 1, 2022

In 2022, Wagner spent his lone season away from Seattle with the NFC West-rival Los Angeles Rams. Last June, Wagner established the Phenia Mae Fund with Cedars-Sinai (Rams Official Health Partner) to help three regional hospitals assist stroke patients and promote stroke education. Wagner put forth a $75,000 donation towards the efforts, which are now being continued with Seattle's team partners.

Rams LB Bobby Wagner donated $75,000 as an initial establishment of the Phenia Mae Fund, named after his late mother, which will benefit two LA hospitals. It will assist with patient rehabilitation efforts following strokes and promote stroke education efforts with Cedars-Sinai.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) June 1, 2022

Wagner leaves a personal quote on the fund’s donation site, alongside a picture of his mother Phenia following his high school prom in 2008.

"The awareness around strokes isn't talked about enough," said Wagner. "Having someone close to me suffer from one and the after-effects they experience makes me really want to help other stroke patients get back on their feet. I know my mom would've wanted me to make a difference and that's what I decided to do."

Wagner recently fulfilled his dream of getting a black-college experience, when he traveled to Howard University as part of the Seahawks collaborative HBCU Tour with Microsoft and Seattle Public Schools. His efforts to establish a relationship with the youth of the African American Male Achievement program have extended to Wagner inviting the teens on a Tackle Everything Tech Tour with stops at Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing and the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Now, he's honoring the woman that created him and helping to prevent those suffering or who are uninformed of the severity of strokes from losing a loved one.

To read more about the Phenia Mae Fund and donate click here.

Social Post Of The Day

The Senior Bowl asks fans to predict the season for rookie linebacker Derick Hall

Predict the STATS
2023 Senior Bowl alum and #Seahawks rookie Derick Hall @derick_hall9 will have: #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️

📸: @Seahawks pic.twitter.com/OZLKXn7bbO
— Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) July 10, 2023

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