VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - It's a 'super' gesture from a newly-minted Super Bowl champion.
Virginia Beach's Derrick Nnadi, two months removed from helping his Kansas City Chiefs win Super Bowl LIV, is now aiding in the fight against the coronavirus.
Nnadi, a graduate of Virginia Beach's Ocean Lakes High School, is raising money to combat COVID-19 through his Derrick Nnadi Foundation. He's partnered with the Global Health Crisis Coordination Center (GHC3), a non-profit organization focused on coordinating resources between public health, private sectors and philanthropic organizations during this public health crisis.
Nnadi has pledged $50,000 towards the purchase of equipment and supplies for doctors and nurses at Virginia Beach medical facilities. A portion of his donation will also go to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore.
"The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore is committed to leading the effort to eliminate hunger in our community -- especially during this time of uncertainty," Dr. Ruth Jones Nichols, President and CEO of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore said. "The generous donation from the Derrick Nnadi Foundation will provide more than 7,000 healthy meals for food insecure individuals throughout the region. We are grateful for his willingness to make such a meaningful impact in his hometown at this pivotal moment for our community.”
"I got hit with a sense of motivation to help out everybody," Nnadi told News 3 Sports Director Adam Winkler. "I just felt like it was my duty to help out my area.
Nnadi, who was recognized by his hometown of Virginia Beach with Derrick Nnadi Day on February 18th, says the donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) hits close to home - and not just because it's for medical professionals in his home state.
Nnadi's mother is a nurse in Virginia Beach, a job she's held for several years.
"She's going through all this herself," Nnadi said. "She's battling it - all the long hours, helping patients. I want to help out my mom any way I can. In a way this donation is helping my mother - even when it's not helping my mother."
Two and a half months ago, he helped the Chiefs win Super Bowl 54 - the biggest game on the globe. Now, Derrick Nnadi is helping tackle a global pandemic. A pretty neat gesture. 'Super' you might say.
"When all else fails, you make sure your home is secure," Nnadi added. "In my eyes, I felt like Virginia wasn't secure, and I just wanted to help out."
CLICK HERE to visit Derrick Nnadi's fundraiser page.
