In disadvantaged countries, New England Patriots won Super Bowl LII
The New England Patriots claimed another National Football League title with their win over Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII.
Tom Brady, the greatest quarterback of all time, added to his hardware collection another trophy, adding a Super Bowl MVP award that matched his regular-season prize.
New England rebounded from a heartbreaking loss to Atlanta in Super Bowl LI.
Right about now, talk show host Maury Povich injects himself into the conversation with his famous retort “And, that’s a lie.”
No doubt, although these ginormous representations play out all over the world as the NFL discards pre-printed garments, mainly tee shirts, caps and sweatshirts, all around the world to disadvantaged people in need of clothing.
The NFL has teamed up with Good360, global leader in product philanthropy and purposeful giving, to donate and distribute excess merchandise from the AFC, NFC and Super Bowl championship games.
Good360 is a non-profit based in Alexandria, Va., “And the core of what we do is that we partner with companies and organizations that have excess product or products that they need to find a home for. And then we match up those product donations with other non-profits all throughout the U.S. and also internationally which is important in this particular case,” Shari Rudolph, Good360’s chief marketing officer, explained.
“Good360 assures that these nonprofits have products they need to fulfill their own missions and mandates in their own communities. We move clothing and apparel but also dispense donated products like furniture, personal care items, home goods, and automotive parts, literally anything out there except for food and pharmaceuticals.”
Rudolph said her organization has moved more than nine billion dollars worth of product in its 34-year history. The partnership with the NFL involves a trust that all materials find a home outside the U.S.
“We partner with the NFL in the same way we partner with hundreds of other donors. The NFL is looking for a way to distribute these goods where they can trust the products have an oversees destination where there’s been a documented need for products. They know that these products will go for a good cause and put to good use; and that there’s no risk that these items can end up back in the United States,” Rudolph noted.
This year marks the fourth year that Good360 has played a role in managing this donation which means Carolina Panthers topped Denver in Super Bowl L while Coach Pete Carroll did not make a bonehead goal line decision in Super Bowl XLIX as Seattle claimed its first championship.
So, as Philadelphia Eagles fans prepare for a historical football orgy parade, kids in Africa, Eastern Europe and Central America countries slip into New England Patriots championship gear as well as apparel for the NFC champions, Minnesota Vikings and AFC titlists, Jacksonville Jaguars.
Congratulations to New England owner Robert Kraft and Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
Go Patriots.
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist.