Arizona Cardinals DE Calais Campbell gives $1.6 million to Miami
Calais Campbell has set a Miami fundraising record.
The former Hurricane defensive lineman and current Arizona Cardinals player donated $1.6 million to the university for an endowed scholarship, which will be called the "Calais Campbell Football Defensive Lineman Endowed Scholarship."
The gift, the largest ever by a former Miami player, is part of Miami's latest fundraising campaign, which the school says has surpassed $106 million.
“Calais’ generosity will create opportunities for young men for years to come and on behalf of the University, I want to express our gratitude for his commitment to Miami,” Miami athletic director Blake James said in a statement. “Calais is an incredible man and along with his family, understands the importance of education and the impact a positive environment can have on a student-athlete. We are excited by the benchmarks set by Ken Hunt and now Calais, which will serve as catalysts for former student-athlete giving in the future.”
Hunt had the previous record for a donation by a former Miami player. The former Hurricane running back donated $1.5 million to the school.
"I know how rare these jobs are," Campbell told ESPN.com about making it to the NFL. "I want to make sure that every kid, especially at the University of Miami, understands the importance of having a good fall-back plan, something you would enjoy doing if the NFL doesn't work out for you.
"This is my way of showing it."
The scholarship will be an annual scholarshop funded in perpetuity. Campbell went to Miami on an endowed scholarship and stays in touch with the family that endowed his scholarship. The defensive line's meeting room will also be named in honor of Campbell. He's the sixth Miami player to have a part of the football facility named after him, joining notable players Dwayne Johnson (The Rock), Clinton Portis, Edgerrin James, Jonathan Vilma and Ed Reed.
Campbell graduated from the school in 2008. He was the team MVP in 2006.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
