LSU Heisman Winner's Speech Prompts Over $370,000 in Food Pantry Donations

Last Saturday, Louisiana State University quarterback Joe Burrow was named this year’s Heisman Trophy winner as the most outstanding college football player of 2019. In his acceptance speech, Burrow paid tribute to his roots in southeast Ohio an area that has struggled mightily in the past few years.

"Coming from southeast Ohio, it's a very impoverished area and the poverty rate is almost two times the national average. There's so many people there that don't have a lot. And I'm up here for all those kids in Athens and Athens County that go home to not a lot of food on the table, hungry after school. You guys can be up here, too."

Little did Burrow know that his mention of Athens, Ohio prompted those watching to give what they could to an online fundraiser for those living in poverty in the Athens area. By mid-day Tuesday over $370,000 had been raised for a local non-profit that serves food to over 5,000 households in Athens County, OH. 

While it seems extraordinary for Burrow to lend his Heisman spotlight to those struggling back in his hometown, here’s to hoping that more high profile acceptance speeches are utilized this way in the future. 

Article: Heisman winner's speech leads to over $370,000 in donations for families in poverty