University of North Carolina Athletics
Football Players Active In The Community
April 27, 2007 | Football
April 27, 2007
Chapel Hill, N.C. ------ North Carolina's football players have been active in the community recently, helping build houses for Habitat For Humanity of Orange County and participating in the North Carolina Children's Hospitals "Real Men Rock" campaign.
"I think it's important for our players to be active members of the community," says head coach Butch Davis. "I want our players to be role models on and off the field and represent this University in a first-class manner. Participating in these activities will make you a better person."
Kennedy Tinsley, Connor Barth, Michael Murphy, Bryon Bishop, Trimane Goddard and E.J. Wilson participated in the campaign to prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome called "Real Men Rock" on Friday, April 20. The campaign, which was organized by local Orange County agencies and UNC Hospitals' Beacon Child and Family program, was designed to teach men how to care for crying babies. According to the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, "an estimated 1,200 - 1,400 children are shaken for whom treatment is sought."
"It was a real eye-opening experience," says Barth, a senior place-kicker who should contend for all-conference honors. "It's a serious matter that hasn't been exposed to the general population. Not as many people are aware of it as should be."
On Saturday, April 21, several players helped build three houses for Habitat for Humanity in Hillsborough. The team was divided into two groups with the defense working on the construction site from 8:30 a.m. to Noon and the offense finishing up from Noon to 4 p.m. Players helped sheath and shingle the roof, raised trusses and attached siding.
"It makes you feel good as a person to help others like that," says Hilee Taylor, who spent most of the 80-degree day on top of a roof. "It also builds comaraderie with your teammates to have everyone out there building something together."
Davis also stresses the importance of preparing players for their future endeavors, whether that includes a professional football career or any other business opportunity. Recently, the Kenan Football Center hosted "Playbook For Life" and nearly every player attended. The award-winning program provides college students with practical, user-friendly personal finance fundamentals to get them thinking about life after graduation. The program was developed by the Hartford as part of the company's philanthropic focus on education and its corporate partnership with the NCAA.
Dave Jorgensen, a former starting center at Florida who is now an account executive with The Hartford, spoke to the audience about becoming well-rounded student-athletes. Sports Illustrated columnist and CBS broadcaster Seth Davis also addressed the crowd during the hour-long presentation.
In the future, Davis is planning an agent seminar for Tar Heels with potential NFL aspirations designed to help Carolina's football players select a proper agent following their careers.
