DETROIT—The rain held off on Oct. 24 as several members of the Detroit Lions, the Detroit Chapter of Retired Players, Off the Field and union leaders joined as one team to collect food for those affected by the economic crisis.

 

More than 8,000 pounds of food was collected and distributed by Gleaners Food Bank in Detroit. With high unemployment rates in and around Detroit, the NFL Players Association and the AFL-CIO agreed that it was time to do something to help provide some relief.

 

Several active and former Lions players chipped in to aid the cause. Detroit running backs Maurice Morris and Aaron Brown, along with quality control coach Todd Downing, combined efforts with former players James “Hound Dog” Hunter, Allen Hughes, Chris Floyd and Tom Watkins during the morning shift to greet members of the community as they brought canned goods to donate. 

 

Later in the day, members of Off the Field, an association comprised of wives of NFL players, joined former player Damian Gregory and current guard Stephen Peterman to greet people donating food and carry boxes of food to the collection bins.

 

In addition to the strong representation of NFL players in attendance, several political leaders joined in the effort. Other unions participating included AFSCME, Sheet Metal Workers, CWA, AFT, AFGE, Postal Workers, NALC, Laborers, MNA, UFCW, NABET/CWA and UWUA.

 

Saundra Williams, president of metropolitan Detroit’s AFL-CIO, was happy with the turnout and appreciated the work of the volunteers.

 

“I was truly overwhelmed by the generosity and compassion of the volunteers from the metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO, Off the Field, the NFL Players Association, the United Way, Gleaners and especially to those who recognized the high unemployment rate in the city of Detroit and the need to reach out and help the community by donating food,” she said.

 

In addition to collecting food, Gregory chose to give back another way. Gregory offers affordable housing and shelters to those in need through housing rehabilitation projects.

 

“If you know the history of Detroit, the riots of 1967 were some of the hardest times in Detroit history,” Gregory said. “By growing up in those hard-hit areas, I chose to give back to that community once I was able to, financially, by playing in the league.”

 

With so many organizations coming together for a common cause, Williams expressed confidence in the collective strength of unions nationwide.

 

“I am so pleased about the solidarity which existed between the two AFL-CIO-affiliated unions—that is the NFL Players Association and the metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO,” she said.