It’s been quite the year for Eagles tight end Zach Ertz.
First, he catches the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl LII, helping Philadelphia to its first ever Super Bowl championship.
Now, he’s making a big impact off the field with his wife, 2017 U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Player of the Year, Julie Ertz, starting the Ertz Family Foundation.
The foundation is driven by Zach and Julie’s desire to spread the importance of faith, love and compassion in improving the lives of people across the world. According to the website, the foundation is based on three pillars of service:
– Providing opportunities through sports for youth to learn the value of exercise, nutrition, leadership, work ethic, accountability and team work
– Improving the quality of education through supporting teachers, students and schools
– Restoring a sense of hope and building communities for families who need it most.
“This is something that we’ve talked about for years now, and it’s exciting to be making it happen together,” Julie said. “To be able to personally give people hope and the help they need has been life-changing for them and for me.”
“I wouldn’t be who I am today without the help I’ve received, and I want to help others reach their maximum potential,” added Zach. “From the moment I came into the NFL, I felt I had a responsibility to start a foundation, and to be able to do it with Julie by my side is truly a blessing.”
The foundation will be hosting its launch event in July. The proceeds raised will go toward building a sports complex in Haiti and to charitable efforts in the Bay Area and Philadelphia that align with the foundation’s service pillars. Initially, the funds raised for the foundation will be distributed in those three areas with expansion to other cities and towns soon to follow.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkTLRJRn-mn/?hl=en&taken-by=julieertz
Both Zach and Julie have a firm foundation in Jesus. In Minneapolis during press availability for Super Bowl LII, Zach shared with Sports Spectrum what his No. 1 priority was as a Christ-follower.
“Our No. 1 goal on this earth is to make disciples,” Zach said. “It’s the only job that we pretty much want to do. So faith and football this Sunday is huge. This is a platform to draw people to the Word, to Jesus. It’s not something we take for granted by any means.”
https://www.facebook.com/SportsSpectrumMag/videos/10156065152744730/
On the front of the Ertz Family Foundation website lists a Bible verse: “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly.” — 1 Peter 4:8.
For more on the foundation and its inaugural event, go to ertzfamilyfoundation.org or follow them on Twitter @ErtzFoundation.
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