Punts for Purpose
Nearly half of the NFL’s punters, including Bradley Pinion (Atlanta Falcons), are participating in Punts for Purpose. They pledge to donate $1,000 to Compassion International for each punt that lands inside the 20-yard line during the season. Other punters, like Jake Bailey (Miami Dolphins) and Corey Bojorquez (Cleveland Browns), are also contributing. These donations will fund 500 child survival centers, benefiting moms and babies in poverty. Compassion has seen positive results in its survival centers, reducing infant mortality rates and improving birth and immunization rates in countries like Ethiopia and Togo.
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. — Oct 15, 2024
Every week, millions of people tune in to watch their favorite teams fight for victory on the football field. This week brings something new as a group of professional football players are working to raise funds and bring awareness to Punts for Purpose [https://compassion.com/puntsforpurpose], an ongoing initiative that supports Compassion International to fight the devastating impacts of poverty in the lives of babies and their mothers.
Spearheaded by Atlanta Falcons punter Bradley Pinion and his wife, Kaeleigh, with early support from fellow league punter Tress Way, Punts for Purpose aims to make a difference in the lives of mothers and babies living in extreme poverty. This season, Pinion or Way will donate $1,000 for every one of their punts that lands within the 20-yard line.
During Week 9 of the season (Oct. 31 to Nov. 4), Pinion and Way will be joined by other punters in the league to support Compassion’s goal to raise $7.5 million to fund 500 Compassion Survival centers by the end of 2024. In just two years’ time, 500 fully funded centers could save the lives of 25,000 babies and their mothers. So far, the campaign has raised over $6.8 million and funded 455 centers.
“Seeing other punters in the league participate in Punts for Purpose is incredible,” Pinion said. “It is truly humbling and exciting to have other punters join in on something my wife and I are so passionate about, especially since becoming a father myself. I know now, more than ever before, how crucial a baby’s first years can be, and how that can set the foundation for them to thrive the rest of their lives.”
“Dedicating my punts this season to Punts for Purpose allows me to be part of something bigger than myself,” added Way. “We might be opponents on the field, but this week, we’re on the same team, doing what we can on the field to help 25,000 babies and their moms make it to their first birthday.”
A child’s first years of life provides a critical foundation for their future, but many babies are not afforded the opportunity to thrive. Every year, 2.6 million babies living in extreme poverty don’t survive their first 28 days, and most of those die within the first week of life due to pre-term birth or delivery complications. In many low-income regions, mothers also face severe and life-threatening conditions. Approximately 830 women die each day from pregnancy or childbirth complications.