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The outside of his foundation brochure
reads, “To think very big is to garner the courage to
dream. It’s a state of mind. It’s our way of communicating
to everyone that there’s nothing you can’t do if you put
your mind to it” Humble, real, honest, determined,
passionate, character, integrity, desire, dedication are all
words that could lead into this introduction. Enter Brian
D. Waters, a unique man with the energy, dedication and
imagination to shape the future. Not only does he apply his
mind, but puts words into action through his works.
Despite
his ferocity on the field, Kansas City guard Brian Waters is
an easy man to root for, even if you’re an opponent. This
Pro Bowler has outworked and out-hustled colleagues who came
into the NFL with much greater fanfare. After entering the
league as an un-drafted free agent, Waters has become
arguably the best in the league at his position. In 2006 the
sixth-year pro earned his third consecutive trip to the Pro
Bowl as a key member of a Kansas City offense. In 2004
Waters became the league’s first offensive lineman to be
named AFC Player of the Week. He is a tough and consistent
competitor, having started 84 consecutive games for the
Chiefs. As sports journalist Joe Posnanski writes: “He plays
with heart, and after the game, he speaks from the heart,
and it’s good to see great athletes who get it.”
The road to the Pro Bowl, including an incredible rise from
obscurity in NFL Europe, has granted Brian Waters vast
knowledge and sharp perspective on the gridiron. Brian is
just as awe-inspiring off the field. His role as Kansas
City’s NFLPA player representative is proof of the respect
he garners from teammates. In 2004 Brian started “The Brian
Waters 54 Foundation” to help inner city youth in Greater
Kansas City and his hometown of Waxahachie, TX. Since that
time, he has expanded his philanthropy to include Dallas
non-profits, and recently hosted his second annual “Dine
with a Chief Celebrity Waiters Dinner” to benefit the Fox 4
Love Fund and other foundations.
Since the inception of his foundation, he has:
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Served as a mentor to Kansas City’s Central High School
football team in conjunction with the “NFL Play It
Smart” program.
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Volunteered at Genesis School, an alternative school in
Kansas City
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Is
co-chairman for the “First Downs for Down Syndrome”
program which raises funds based on the production of
the Chiefs offensive line.
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Partnered with God’s Church of Waxahachie to provide
over 500 football and basketball scholarships in his
hometown of Waxahachie, combining the
victorious
message of Jesus Christ, with what it takes to win in
sports, to bring our next generation an unbeatable
ability to win, in sports and in life
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Donated $250,000
to the building fund of Sweet Home Baptist Church in
Round Rock, TX.(oldest black church in Austin)
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Hosted a pizza party and holiday shopping spree for
children representing the Curtis McClinton Kansas City
Keys Football League
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Supporter of Fox 4 Love Fund (provides tickets for youth
and their parents to all Chiefs home games, including a
tour of Arrowhead Stadium and a pizza party
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Spokesperson for Fox 4 Love Fund “Sack It for Santa”
past two years
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Host
for Special Olympics Punt, Pass and Kick in both
Missouri and Kansas, as well as NFL Pro Bowl
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Avid
supporter of PROMISE HOUSE, INC. Based in Dallas, Texas,
this organization primarily serves homeless, runaway and
at-risk youth along with their families
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Sponsored a summer program for Dallas youth in 2006 and
2007 (donated over $25,000)
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Sponsored a “Going to Kansas City” trip complete with a
stay at a local hotel/water park, personal tour of
Arrowhead Stadium with a visit from Coach Herm Edwards
and even an outing to the historic 18th & Vine
district’s Negro League Baseball Museum and American
Jazz Museum.
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Provides Christmas assistance to families in both
Waxahachie and Dallas
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Provided outings to Homeless youth @ PROMISE HOUSE, INC.
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Host
annual appreciation/fun days in the Waxahachie community
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Partnership with
Habitat for Humanity to sponsor Habitat House in Ellis
County
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Established Brian Waters Scholarship Fund and provides
scholarships to graduating seniors in pursuit of
secondary education
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Sponsors Ellis County Pop Warner League for last 5 years
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Key
Sponsor of Ellis County Girls and Boys Basketball League
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Sponsors outings to all Dallas Cowboy home games for
youth of Ellis County Pop Warner League and homeless
youth at PROMISE HOUSE, INC.
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Annually provides back to school supplies and school
uniforms to youth in Dallas and Waxahachie
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Sponsor of Project Safe Place
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Spokesperson for NFL “What Moves U” Campaign
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Sponsored a “Pursuit of Happyness” movie screening for
Dallas homeless youth
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Featured in a United Way NATIONAL campaign, that hosted
a group “themed” Going to Kansas City from the STAR
(Services To At Risk youth) program in Dallas, TX.
Brian has
not just given monies, but puts his heart and work into
action. Giving to others is his passion and he shows it
regularly, by getting involved.
During a
recent mid-season interview, Coach Herm Edwards, was asked a
question during a press conference that went as follows:
Q: Brian
Waters is a guy that most of us would call a standup guy.
Almost every game he is available and keeps his poise and
never hides or points fingers. Is what we see what you know
him to be?
EDWARDS:
“He has an opinion; he’s an opinionated guy. Every team I’ve
been on there’s always been an offensive lineman like that,
either when I was playing or coaching. That’s good, but he’s
a very knowledgeable guy too. He just doesn’t talk the talk.
Generally when he talks people listen. The players listen.
He has respect due to the fact of how he plays. When you’re
a good player you earn the respect of the locker room and
your team. He wasn’t a highly drafted or even a drafted guy.
He went to World League and played. Dallas had let him go.
He took the hard road to get here and he is a success story.
“Players
look at players to see where they came from. This guy came
from a small school and actually was a pretty good tight end
that grew himself into an offensive lineman and he could
probably play center or guard. He’s a good football player
and it’s good to have a guy like that. He’s a standup guy.”
Waters is respected
for his distinguished charitable work.
State of
Texas House Representative Jim Pitts, wrote to Waters and
said, “I am very proud of you for your dedication to your
sport…You have certainly made an impact on Waxahachie
through your service to the community and I appreciate your
involvement in making our city and even better place to
live.”
Brian
strives to enrich the lives of inner city youth, through
events and activities that make a positive impact and
provide life-long, lasting memories in the lives of youth in
Greater Kansas City, Dallas and his hometown of Waxahachie.
The “Brian Waters Foundation” mission is to give back and
impact communities, to make a difference in the lives of
those less fortunate. Mr. Waters knows the impact that
positive influences and nurturing can have in the lives of
our youth. Through Discipline, Dedication, Desire and
Determination on and off the field, he makes a difference
and a positive influence. His
investment in communities will return a positive outcome
because he is changing the lives of young people and
families. Making a difference and impacting communities!
Brian
Waters is an exceptional man on and off the playing field.
He definitely exemplifies and is the epitome of Man of the
Year!
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