The Atlanta Falcons aren’t simply chasing wins on Sundays — they’re making game-changing performs in their very own yard, too. Simply forward of the 2025 season, the Falcons teamed up with the Arthur M. Clean Household Basis to ship brand-new, state-of-the-art soccer helmets to 2 of Atlanta’s iconic HBCU soccer applications: Morehouse Faculty and Clark Atlanta College.
It’s greater than a gear improve. It’s a press release in regards to the worth of HBCU athletes and their security on the sector.
NFL-HBCU Partnership
“We’re proud to help the soccer applications at these historic establishments via this grant,” stated Chris Millman, AMB Sports activities and Leisure Senior Vice President of Group Engagement and Sports activities Philanthropy. “Participant well being and security is paramount for athletes in any respect ranges of soccer.”
Millman highlighted that helmet expertise has made enormous strides within the final 5 years. A proven fact that hasn’t all the time translated into equitable entry throughout all collegiate applications. This partnership goals to stage the taking part in discipline.
The influence is very large for HBCU applications like Morehouse and Clark Atlanta, each wealthy in historical past however typically working with restricted assets.
“Morehouse Athletics is grateful for this chance,” stated Harold Ellis, Director of Athletics at Morehouse Faculty. “The brand new soccer helmets will elevate participant well being and security and supply our Maroon Tigers with the very best stage of safety as they compete within the 2025 soccer season.”
Throughout city, Clark Atlanta head coach Teddy Keaton sees the helmets as a part of a a lot larger win.
Greater than Gear
“That is extra than simply new gear; it’s an funding sooner or later and security of our student-athletes,” Keaton stated. “These helmets signify progress, function, and the facility of partnership.”
For the Clean Basis — launched by House Depot co-founder and Atlanta Falcons proprietor Arthur Clean — this transfer aligns with a broader youth improvement, fairness, and neighborhood help mission. Since its founding in 1995, the group has granted over $1.5 billion to causes starting from psychological well being and environmental advocacy to veterans help and academic fairness.
However for the younger males suiting up for Morehouse Faculty and Clark Atlanta College, the message is evident: you matter, and your security issues.
These new helmets are extra than simply gear in a sport the place the hits are laborious and the margins are skinny. They’re a present of perception in HBCU athletes and the futures they’re constructing each on and off the sector.
