NASHVILLE - Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler has been named NFLPA Community MVP for Week 11.
Butler is the second Titan to be recognized for the award – Titans safety Kevin Byard was named NFLPA Community MVP for Week 0.
Butler helped feed 600 families in need across three cities through grocery gift cards and donations for Thanksgiving.
"On behalf of my family and the Tennessee Titans, I am honored to be the NFLPA Community MVP of the week," Butler said. "This is a very different year, and families are not able to come together and celebrate like they usually do. We all have something to be thankful for, and I want to do my part to help those in need."
According to a release from the NFLPA, Butler had a specific purpose behind his charitable efforts for the holiday – to honor the places and people who have helped him reach this point in his NFL career.
Butler provided free COVID-19 testing and gift cards for 200 underprivileged families in Nashville on Tuesday, and he distributed 200 gift cards to three local food pantries for his hometown of Vicksburg, Mississippi. The University of West Alabama alum donated $5,000 to the UWA hunger/pandemic relief fund in his college town of Livingston, which supplied 200 meals for those in need and students unable to go home for Thanksgiving.
"I did not make it to the NFL by myself," Butler said, "so this is just my way of thanking the communities who have supported me on my journey."
Earlier this year, Butler stepped up to help those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Butler donated $10,000 each to the United Way of Central Mississippi and Meharry Medical College, which funded PPE supplies and 600 grab-and-go meals for first responders. He also worked with the mayor of Vicksburg, Miss., and the United Way of West Central Mississippi to feed 600 seniors who are unable to leave their homes, and shop for themselves.
"I feel like it is very important, and each individual has a role in this situation," Butler told TennesseeTitans.com this offseason. "Just like Miss Amy (Adams Strunk), Jon Robinson, and Mike Vrabel, we all have a job to do. So I think it's a good idea for me to do my role. All the health care workers out there, first responders, they are putting themselves on the line for all of us.
"We are on the sideline now, and they are in the game. So, we should be there to support those people and do everything we can. Every hand helps."
In honor of Butler being named this week's Community MVP, the NFLPA will make a $10,000 contribution to his foundation or charity of choice Also, our supporting partner Pledge It has set up a crowdfunding campaign to benefit the United Way of Central Mississippi. Supporters can make a flat donation at the following website: pledgeit.org/malcolm-butler.
Butler, along with the other 2020 Community MVPs, will become eligible for this year's Alan Page Community Award, which is the highest honor that the NFLPA can bestow upon a player.
The NFLPA Community MVP program recognizes NFL players who are making a positive impact in their hometowns and team cities. Each week during the regular season, the NFLPA will celebrate one player who has demonstrated a commitment to giving back to his community. Please visit our website to learn more about the program.
