Fantasy football, real-life dreams
by Beth
Here’s something else to consider when making your fantasy football picks for the upcoming August deadlines. Gene Wojciechowski’s espn.com column last week says that despite everything we’ve heard about steroids, dog fights and gambling in sports, there are still many good athletes out there.
One of the good guys Wojciechowski singles out is Ahman Green.
The column comments on a deal the Houston Texans running back made with his teammate Jason Simmons. On July 23, Green made good on his promise to make the down payment on a home for a single parent in exchange for reclaiming his jersey number from Simmons.
“Green got Simmons’ jersey number (30), and in return, Regina Foster and her 7-year-old autistic son, Reginald, got a down payment on their first house. Green wrote a check for $25,000, while Texans owner Bob McNair added another $25,000.”
The column acknowledges that young Reggie might not comprehend right away exactly what moving to his own home means. But when he sees the backyard, he’ll be happy — and that’s all that matters to Foster, who couldn’t afford a down-payment on her own.
The story was also featured in NFL News on espn.com. But with all this press, one thing ESPN didn’t mention was the Ahman Green Golf Shootout For Easter Seals. Green started the golf tournament while he was still playing for his former team, the Green Bay Packers. Green signed with the Houston Texans as a free agent in March, and according to a story on the Houston Texans official Web site:
“Green was particularly moved by Foster’s story, having worked with autistic children for the past few years in conjunction with the Easter Seals charitable organization.”
It wasn’t until after Green and Simmons delivered the down payment check to Regina Foster that she admitted she hadn’t really been a football fan before.
But now she’s rooting for Ahman Green. Me too!
September 9th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
I was researhing people with my married name Regina Foster, which is my married name & I also still have my maiden name Connors. I found story this rather interesting because I also have an 8 year old son with Autism. My son’s name is Alan. I live her in NC. I think that is wonderful that someone helped this lady and her son out. What a dream come true for her! How heartwarming and wonderful!! I am divorced from my X, who has little or no contact with his son at all by his choice. I work full time and without the help of the services I fought so hard to get, we would never be able to keep afloat, we would of lost the house and everything. I have very few friends here and my family lives back in NJ where I grew up. It’s scarry that they may be cutting back services next year from what I hear. Believe me, I know how hard it is when you have a child with this disorder and everything you have to fight for and go through….No daycares in the area will take my son..they all lack expereince and dont want to even bother getting the training. They either act cold, ignorant or predijuice towards his problem. People seriously need more education in this subject. Again, what a wonderful thing that was done for that woman!! Kudos!!! Great Story!!
August 15th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Hi Ahman–
Wow. If I’ve got it right, you are at training camp where I imagine that your days and nights are pretty heavily scheduled. That you would take the time to post a note just reinforces what I said about you earlier. Thanks for your commitment to helping. So….from a Bears fan, I’m going to say GO TEXANS!!
August 14th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Hi Jim – thanks for posting this article. I hope my efforts can draw attention to the needs of children and adults with autism. I look forward to working with Easter Seals to help even more kids in the future. Go Texans!
August 8th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Thanks for pointing out that Ahman Green is a champion not only in football but in his belief in giving back. Having spent time with him as he was serving as an Easter Seals volunteer, I can tell you that he is genuine and caring and wants to make a difference. It’s refreshing to know that a professional athlete of Mr. Green’s standing is committed to making a real difference for people in the community where he lives.