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By all accounts, New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara had a tumultuous rookie season. Although he lost his entire first offseason due to the NFL Lockout, and then was injured two practices into training camp, fans still had sky high expectations for him once the team's 2011 first-round draft pick returned to action in Week 11. At the time, the Giants' secondary was struggling and needed a boost; however, Amukamara failed to make a positive impact for the majority of the regular season. In fact, in regular season play, opponents completed 70% of all passes thrown in his direction, while posting a 125.0 QB rating.
Prince Amukamara has a lot to prove this season. However, even with all the questions surrounding his ability, Prince still realizes how incredibly fortunate he is to be a professional football player. Although he is scheduled to make a little over $2 million this year, Amukamara knows what it's like to not be able to afford the necessary equipment needed to play football. That's why this week, he donated nearly $10,000 worth of equipment to outfit Lincoln High School with new cleats and practice jersey's.
"Playing Pop Warner football, my coaches would have to buy my cleats," the former Nebraska cornerback said.
Amukamara is a native of Glendale, Arizona; however, he regularly travels back to the University of Nebraska, his alma mater, to train with his former college strength and conditioning coach James Dobson. While in Nebraska, Prince made a special connection with Lincoln High School when he visited there in the spring. He was able to get a first hand account of what the kids there go through on a daily basis, and was generous enough to lend a helping hand. Prince's contribution was not lost on Lincoln High School head football coach Mark Macke.
"A lot of these kids don't have much," Macke said. "We're always trying to find shoes for kids to wear… Sometimes we just have to find the means to go out and get them. We don't want a kid not to come out for football because he doesn't have shoes."
A lot of NFL players have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of young kids around the country, and choose not to. Whether it be Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant getting arrested for allegedly assaulting his mother, or New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes quitting on his team during the final game of last season, there are some players around the league who clearly do not appreciate the privilege of playing professional football.
However, Prince Amukamara has proven that he is not one of those people. In an offseason where the arrest count is high and the public image of NFL players' off the field actions is overwhelmingly negative, Prince Amukamara is becoming a role model for kids living in an impoverished community.
"I'm sure a gesture like this could really help the players not only on the field, but in the classroom — just to show that somebody cares, that somebody here in the community is behind them." Amukamara said.
Although Prince Amukamara has not proven himself on the gridiron yet, he has demonstrated that he possesses the kind of character that would be a beneficial locker room presence for years to come. Here's to hoping that he can not only flourish on the field this season, but can continue to make a positive impact in the lives of America's youth.
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Prince has to show something early … or be labeled a bust. There’s no reason to panic … but he needs to start making plays. This guy was drafted way too high to not produce.
actually, unless he is utterly terrible he has at least this year and next to show what he can do
that may make him a bust as a No. 1; but he’ll still have a job