Joining the growing ranks of professional athletes who remain class acts both on and off the field, Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy held a charity bowling event fundraiser at the Palmyra Bowling Center to benefit The ALS Association last year around this time in May. Fans from around the area flocked to the venue for a fun filled afternoon to meet McCoy, bowl, and most importantly, benefit a great cause. Jared Ginsberg and Victor Green of ClassActSports.com were both on hand to talk with the speedy running back and everyone who made the event possible.

McCoy shares a special connection and interest in ALS, as his grandmother passed away from the disease, which is a progressive neurodegenerative illness that attacks nerves in the brain.

“My family has been fighting this disease because of my grandmother,” said McCoy.

The star Philadelphia running back’s grandfather was in attendance as well, and explained how the event originally came to fruition.

“LeSean came to me and he asked me…’What can I do to help you? Anything that you need, just let me know.’ Entertainers, athletes, they always do something for a foundation, [I said] ‘Why don’t you set something up for your Nana? It might be too late for Nana; however it might help millions of other people.’”

The local bowling alley was packed with fans as McCoy spoke to the crowd, signed autographs, and took pictures throughout the evening. Television crews also made an appearance, capturing the story for local news stations to spread the word about the 22-year-old’s charitable works.

“LeSean McCoy’s here, the media is here, it’s just absolutely phenomenal. We’re going to raise over $10,000 for ALS, so we’re very excited,” said Amy Eiserman, owner of the Palmyra Bowling Center.

Jim Pinciotti, Executive Director of The ALS Association also expressed his gratitude, saying,

“If you can get somebody to give you a few minutes of their time, if you can get them to give you their face for a day, or give you some money; any one of those things is wonderful. LeSean gives us all.”

McCoy continues to support his hometown of Harrisburg, PA, and established his own foundation to lend a helping hand to discover a cure and treatment for those afflicted with ALS. He also hosted his second annual “Shady’s Community Day” in Harrisburg on May 14, a carnival and basketball event for local kids throughout the area.

Former linebacker Cornelius Bennett enjoyed a 14-year playing career from 1987-2000. Now that he is retired, he lives in Florida. Close enough to another NFL retiree, Nat Moore  who has his own Foundation and golf outing.

“First of all, Nat and I have been friends for a long time. I live here in Hollywood, Florida, so anytime he calls on me, I try to participate. It’s for the kids. I have young kids that are in school and they are very fortunate to have me as a parent where I can afford for them to go to school, because some kids are less fortunate and that is the real reason I am here,” Bennett told Joy Taylor of Class Act Sports.

As he alluded to, Moore’s foundation helps underprivileged kids in South Florida. A lot of former and present athletes look up to Moore as a role model, using his guidance to make successful foundations and impact in the community.

Bennett, who played for nine years with the Buffalo Bills was ecstatic about signing one of the top free agents, defensive back, Mario Williams in the off-season.

“It’s tremendous for the city of Buffalo. I couldn’t be more thrilled for the fans. We’ve been suffering up there for a long time and it looks like finally they are opening up the checkbooks and trying to do the right thing as far as bringing in the necessary talent,” he said.

Ed “Too Tall” Jones earned his nickname because of his 6’9” stature, a rarity for a defensive end.  But the former Dallas Cowboy has a heart as big as his wingspan.

“First of all, they do such a great job. And it takes everybody chipping in, doing what they can to make these foundations work. And Nat Moore, I played with him back in the glory days with the Dolphins when I was with the Dallas Cowboys. Not only was he a good football player, but he does so many things for the community,” Jones told Joy Taylor of Class Act Sports while on a break from the Nat Moore Golf Outing in March.

Nat Moore has received many accolades for all of his work in the Miami community, and Jones always makes an appearance to help out when he can.

“When [Moore] called on me to come out and help him with this foundation, I was more than happy to come out. Miami is a great place to get away and help raise money for good causes. At the same time I come to this event every year and see friends that I only see once a year, so I look forward to it every year,” Jones said.

When the news broke about Peyton Manning signing with the Broncos, Jones weighed in on his thoughts.

“I played with the Cowboys and we’d love to have him in Dallas. We go way back. I’ve known Manning since he was a young man. I played against his dad. I have known that family for years. I am glad to see him not retire. Hopefully he will continue to have a blessed career,” Jones told Class Act Sports.

Former defensive end Chris Doleman was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2012. It took several years to finally get the call, but it was well deserved, and worth the wait.

“It catches you off guard. Obviously you are waiting to see what’s going to happen, and when they call your name, you are in a position where all of a sudden you are at a level where you never even thought that you could be at. And you always think that is reserved for other guys, but it’s a special honor and I am definitely humbled to be a part of it,” Doleman told Joy Taylor of Class Act Sports.

Doleman was golfing in Nat Moore’s Golf Outing in March, just a few weeks after taking part in Jason Taylor’s Golf Outing.

“Some good some bad. I am not playing as well as I normally do but this is our third day in a row playing golf, so I’m a little out of shape, but I am just hanging in there,” he said.

Doleman played for three teams over his 15-year career and was a member of the 1990’s All-Decades team. He enjoys giving back, at other athletes functions as well as his own.

“I think it’s important for all of us to give back. This is one way that I do it. I also have the Chris Doleman Pro Auction where we help charities and profits by putting their things online to raise money for them. We are always trying to give back in every way. JT and Nat Moore are great guys and I enjoy supporting them,” he told Class Act Sports.

As the February weekend wrapped up, Jason Taylor talked to Class Act Sports about his ninth-annual Celebrity Golf Classic benefitting the Jason Taylor Foundation.

“It’s been outstanding. The final number we are still working on, but it will be better than last year for sure. We had tremendous support, a great group of celebrities. The sponsors have been fantastic. Community Capital Management, and The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino stepped up huge for us this year. After nine years, to see it still going and growing it’s great to see,” Taylor told Class Act Sports.

The event was filled with athletes, including former teammates such as Zach Thomas, Pro Bowler Bart Scott, as well as actors, actresses and musicians like Kevin and Nick Jonas.

The linebacker/defensive end played 13 of his 15 seasons in Miami, and retired after the 2011 season. That has given him even more time to work on his foundation.

“Football is one thing that you do as a profession and as a passion and you enjoy doing it. But the opportunity and the chance to help a kid grow, help people in our community grow and become our future leaders is important to us. That’s why we do what we do here as a foundation,” he said.

Taylor understands that the kids are the future of America, so helping them in any way possible is a great venture to undertake.

“We are trying to help these kids make the right choices, get on the right path. Grow, learn, educate themselves. They are our future leaders. Our sheriffs, our teachers, our politicians, future football players.  Guys and girls that can help do what we do now. Having 40 scholarships now where we have kids that are going to college and things like that are why we do what we do, and we enjoy it,” Taylor told Class Act Sports.

Before this years event, his foundation, which helps children’s school programs as well as health care and influencing their lives in a positive way, had raised more than $2 million for these causes.

Super Bowl Champion Rodney Hampton of the New York Giants had a great career on the field. He was a Super Bowl Champ, had 49 touchdowns, and almost 7,000 rushing yards in his eight-year career. But what he does off the gridiron has been even more impressive.

He created Hamp’s Camp, a program that helps underprivileged kids with their education as well as their athletic skills.

“We have a big tailgate party going on outside. All kinds of food. I am kind of stuffed right now, and also we’re doing the bowling event so threes going to be a lot of celebrities here bowling for a great cause. We’re going to have a blast today,” Hampton told Class Act Sports.

Hampton went on to say why the particular cause was meaningful to him.

“It’s always about the kids. When people take out of their busy schedule to support Hamp’s Camp, it makes me feel good. Growing up in Houston, I always benefited I got started from Little League. The coaches always told me believe in yourself, work hard and be disciplined. And that’s the thing we want to give back. I tell the kids today just encourage them to go out there and work hard, and if they do those three things, good things will happen,” he said.

Former New York Jet Bruce Harper supported the cause since he knows how much seeing athletes and former athletes means to the fans.

 “It’s a small thing on our part to come out here and bowl or whatever it might be. The fans go crazy. They spend the money to support just because we are here. So I don’t mind coming out for an event for that. If it is going to help, then you can count me in,” Harper told Class Act Sports.

Even the fans only had positive things to say about Hampton.

“I enjoyed watching Rodney play for all of those years. Always an honorable guy. Always a great player on and off the field. What he does for kids in Houston, Atlanta, New Jersey, for underprivileged kids, it’s the greatest thing. I am happy to donate my time, and I am happy to donate my money,” said Peter Levy, a longtime Giants fan.

The two-time Pro-Bowler started Hamp’s Camp in 2000 in Houston, where Hampton was born and raised. Then it spread to Atlanta (he played college football at Georgia), and New York.

“Rodney is a good friend of mine. He’s come out and support me in whatever I do and I wanted to do the same for him. He is a great individual. He is a guy who cares about the community,” former Knicks legend John Starks said.

Former teammate Roman Oben said it is important for events like these to receive coverage.

“It makes more news for a guy to get a DUI or arrested or something like that but a guy like [Hampton] at the time he retired, he was the Giants all-time leading rusher, but what is more important is what he does in the community,” Oben said.

Current New York Giant- and Super Bowl XLVI winner Chris Canty appreciated what Hampton did both on and off the field.

 “It is very important. He’s got a great cause. He is helping kids, both in the New York area and where he is from back in Texas. It is great that he contributes to both communities like that. Just the opportunity to be able to come here is an honor and a privilege. He is a great guy. He is always encouraging us, trying to teach us the ropes so to speak. He can tell you about playing at the highest level,” Canty told Class Act Sports

Before the event wrapped up, Starks, a frequent face seen on Class Act Sports at others and his own charitable events had kinds words for Class Act Sports.

“I want to thank Class Act Sports. You guys do a first class job of getting the word out of what athletes are doing. You rarely get to see athletes in what they do in a positive light,” he said.

Erik McMillan was a lot better at tackling players and snagging interceptions than he is at hitting a golf ball. But that didn’t stop the 1988 NFL Defensive Rookie of the year and former New York Jet from helping out at another former Jet, Joe Namath’s March of Dimes Celebrity Golf Classic at Bethpage golf course.

“I’ve been doing this for five years, about as old as the foundation is. It is going for a worthy cause. Not only that but, this particular chapter of the March of Dimes is the largest revenue charity event that the March of Dimes has. So we are looking to do almost $900,000 this year. Last year we did about $800,000,” McMillan told Jared Ginsberg of Class Act Sports.

Joe Namath has been associated with the March of Dimes for over 40 years. The goal of March of Dimes is to increase health of newborns and mothers.

“Joe Namath’s name and all the Class A-list guys that we have coming to the event just brings a whole lot of flavor to the event and its just good for camaraderie,” McMillan said.

McMillan, drafted by the Jets in the third round of the 1988 NFL Draft, played cornerback and safety in the NFL with four teams (Jets, Eagles, Browns, Chiefs) from 1988-1993. He was a two-time Pro Bowler who had 22 career interceptions and five touchdowns. He told us what makes Joe Namath so iconic.

“Joe was rather flamboyant. He didn’t mind calling a spade a spade.  He told you exactly what was on his mind. But the bottom line is, in the National Football League, you can’t just talk about it, you have to be about it. He made the prediction that he was going to win the Super Bowl and they went out there and won it. He promised his players that they were going to win this game today, and they went out there and did it. He was a top producer. Being second is not an option for him, and that is why is charity is No. 1,” McMillan told Class Act Sports.

If there is a charity event that benefits children, you can guarantee that Jonathan Ogden will be there. The former offensive tackle and Super Bowl winner of the Baltimore Ravens was on hand in Miami to support Jason Taylor’s casino night in Miami.

“Especially now that you are retired. We all support each other. We all played, we all busted our butts out there on the field but people gave to us and that’s all we look to do is give back. Playing in golf tournaments in particular is a very easy way and a very successful way to give back to a community so any time I am asked I try to come down.”

And Ogden was as competitive on the golf course as he was on the football field.

“We played 27 holes, but the first 18 holes I took it to the boys. I shot a 77 on them and won all the money. But the last nine holes as a lineman, I started to fatigue a little bit and Victor decided he wanted to put that defensive back fitness on me, but that’s okay,” Ogden said.

The 11-time Pro Bowler who made the 2000 All-Decade Team retired in 2007, but will be in the Hall of Fame soon. And when he isn’t helping out at others functions, he is busy doing his own. Ogden’s Golf Tournament will take place May 22 in Las Vegas.

“You can go to my website, www.JonathanOgdenFoundation.org to get all the information but it supports my foundation. We are all trying to help kids get that help that they need because there are a lot of kids out there who don’t have that support and when they want it, you would like to be there for them,” he told Class Act Sports.