The Players Tribune

Cause and Effect

Welcome to Cause & Effect, a series with NFL athletes who are using their platform to raise awareness and make a difference in their communities.

ALL STORIES

My cousin didn’t believe me when I told him I’d seen a dead body down the road. I was 12 when it happened.

Shane Ray

Our reality became clear at a very young age: If we wanted to make it in District Heights, the options were to either join a gang or play sports.

NaVorro Bowman

To me, all of it — foster care, my parents being in jail, moving from house to house to house to house — was normal.

Albert Wilson

The important thing to take away from this article is that a cure is in sight. These boys’ lives can be saved.

Clay Matthews

I believe that we are a connected people. And it’s not difficult to see that cancer touches all of us.

Aaron Rodgers

Watch as Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton shares the story behind his cause, as well as his cleat design.

Cam Newton

We were prepared for a lot of things going into T.J.'s first surgery. But nothing — nothing — can prepare you for seeing your baby in that condition.

Greg Olsen

A look inside Von Miller’s Celebrity Steak-Out which raised over $480,000 to benefit Von’s Vision Foundation, providing children with eye care and corrective ey

The Players' Tribune

I know it is hard right now, but trust me when I tell you that it will get better. I’m living breathing proof of that.

David Johnson

When we arrived at the NICU and I got my first glimpse of T.J. through the glass … I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I literally couldn’t believe it.

Taurean Nixon

For us, video games kept us out of trouble. But why aren’t we handing kids a book instead?

Jarvis Jenkins

My little brother spent the first six years of his life in a hospital.

Eric Wood

When I was 16 years old, my momma took my little sister and left me. But she didn’t leave outta anger. She left me ‘cause she loved me.

Thomas Davis

I’m going to tell you why I started my Waterboys foundation, and in return I’m going to make fun of my football buddies.

Chris Long