New York Jets left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson stays true to his Long Island roots.
The standout 28-year-old continues to support the Freeport community he was raised in, as his charity group - The D'Brickashaw Ferguson Foundation - generously awarded a total of $10,000 to four graduating Freeport High School seniors on June 16 at the school's 44th annual scholarship and honors ceremony.
"Brick" wasn't on hand for the event, but both of his parents - Edwin and Rhunette - were in attendance, and personally handed the foundation's scholarship awards to the students. The four Freeport High School seniors - Tyler Adams, Alexis Johnson, Emerick Martin and Stephanie Morales - took home $2,500 each thanks to Ferguson's generosity.
"We are most appreciative to all the people who made these scholarships and awards possible for the fine students of Freeport High School," Freeport High School Principal Ernest J. Kight said of Ferguson and the dozens of other scholarship donors. "These gifts help our students in their quest to pursue post-secondary education. There are so many wonderful people, organizations and companies that continue to support Freeport students and we thank them for all they do."
Ferguson graduated from Freeport High School in 2002, and he never forgot where he came from.
Each year, his foundation awards four scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each to Freeport High School seniors who overcame an obstacle to attend an accredited vocational, technical school, college or university.
According to the The D'Brickashaw Ferguson Foundation website, the mission of the foundation is to improve the quality of life for students by awarding academic scholarships to those deserving.
The foundation provides resources that will enhance and contribute to each student's pursuit of higher education. In the past, most scholarships from the foundation went to students from Freeport, Hempstead, Roosevelt and the surrounding areas, but all New York-based students are eligible.
In my view, you hear a lot about Tim Tebow's charitable endevours, but not so much about Ferguson's. He goes about his charity work in a quiet manner without much media fanfare simply because he wants to give back to the Freeport community that raised him to be the person he is today.
As a Long Island resident and New York Jets fan, I applaud Ferguson for helping out a local community that needs the support. There was almost no media present for this event, so it was clear that he was just giving back out of the goodness of his heart and not as a PR move.
Eric Holden is a lifelong New York Jets fan. Follow him on Twitter @ericholden.
Sources
Personal Source, Freeport High School Principal Ernest J. Kight
Personal Source, Event Attendee
