Cleveland Brown Hamilton donates $50k to VT

[TomatoVSC]

Hamilton, fellow Hokies give back in a big way

Ryan McConnell, CT Sports Editor
April 25, 2007

As the events of last week have proven, people are constantly looking for ways to help in any way they can, no matter how far away they may be.

Even as Justin Hamilton, a defensive back with the Cleveland Browns and former Hokie, uses his first NFL off-season to workout and condition himself for the brutal schedule that lies ahead, his thoughts and actions still rest with Blacksburg after last week’s events.

Picked in the seventh round of the NFL draft in 2006 after spending five years at Virginia Tech, Hamilton has several former teammates and friends still at Tech.

“The first person I called was D.J. Parker, and D.J. had only heard about the West A.J. incident, so felt like that was it and I heard a wrong report or something, but then I called Vince Hall and Vince was telling me basically the same thing, he didn’t know what was going on,” Hamilton said. “When I got home I saw what was going on and I went through my phone and called everyone on my list that I knew from Tech; football players, friends, everybody. I was just trying to find out what was going on, if everyone that I knew was OK, and seeing if I could get some explanation outside of a news report.”

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Hamilton donated $50,000 to the victim’s memorial fund, a hefty contribution considering Hamilton only made the league minimum for rookies, a salary of $275,000.

“After the initial shock, I began to think about what was going on, as a couple days passed by I was having problems, I couldn’t deal with sitting back and watching and not doing anything,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton and those with his foundation, the Justin Hamilton Foundation, which he started in February, worked together with the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund

During those collaborations Hamilton, a native of Norton, Va., proposed that each team in the NFL sponsor a scholarship in honor of a victim, since there are 32 franchises and the same number of victims.

“I can’t ask anybody to do anything if I don’t do something first, so I got together with my financial guy, and we made a commitment and I’m happy to do that, very happy,” Hamilton said.

Additionally Hamilton is attempting to get professional teams and athletes to continue to donate money to the families of the victims through the Professional Athlete Community Challenge, an extension of his foundation.

Hamilton has been receiving help from several Hokies, including Brenden Hill, who is in between his senior season and the upcoming NFL draft.

Although Hill can’t yet make the financial contribution that those in the NFL can, he’s doing his part in making sure word gets out about the fund.

“We’re trying to get out awareness about the fund,” Hill said. “We’ve gotten professional athletes and former Hokies to give back, and the fund is open to the public. We’ve been using Facebook, MySpace, and other ways to advertise it to the general population that wants to give back, but doesn’t know how to go about doing so.”

Former Hokies such as James Anderson, DeAngelo Hall, Jimmy Williams and Mike Imoh are among those who have already contributed to the cause, Hill said.

Hill was training in Blacksburg until the tragedy, and attended the convocation and vigil afterwards, then relocated to Fairfax to train until the draft.

Hill, who filled the whip linebacker position last year for Tech, projects as a safety in the NFL. He has garnered interest already from several teams and expects to be either a late round choice or sign as a free agent, said Hill and his agent, John Heffernan. Heffernan is also the agent for Hamilton and Imoh.

While the tragedy is still raw in the minds of those associated with the university, Hamilton believes the first football game next year will have a positive impact on the Tech community.

“For everyone to come together and to unite once again for a positive cause, obviously the victims will be remembered, and it will be a sad time,” Hamilton said. “I’m sure there will be a dedication at the beginning of the game, but then fans will be able to cheer, root for guys, scream, yell, and smile. There’s just healing through coming together for sporting events.”

“To be able to play a game right there in Lane Stadium, and to see the football team united and obviously playing for a greater cause than just winning a game,” he said. “I’m sure those 32 victims were fans, and to honor them, play for them and remember and recognize them, I think it will be powerful.”

http://www.collegemedia.com/stories/.../hamilton.html

I'm sorry...I must have missed the press conference. Oh wait..

[dawgland]

he's a great kid

scary thing was, he was interviewed like right after it happened, he said if he was 1 year younger, he would've been in that building since he was an engineering major

[Buc2]

Interesting...

Ex-Hokies:
Hamilton = $50K donation / salary $275K
Vick = $10K donation / Salary $5.1M

What a man!

[dawgland]

Originally Posted by Buc2

Interesting...

Ex-Hokies:
Hamilton = $50K donation / salary $275K
Vick = $10K donation / Salary $5.1M

What a man!

don't make this into a comparison of 2 people just because you don't like one

because hey, i can add a 3rd one
anthony davis = $0 donation

[Buc2]

Originally Posted by dawgland

don't make this into a comparison of 2 people just because you don't like one

because hey, i can add a 3rd one
anthony davis = $0 donation

Yeah, I know. I shouldn't have done that. Just smack me next time.

[Greg in DC]

Originally Posted by dawgland

don't make this into a comparison of 2 people just because you don't like one

because hey, i can add a 3rd one
anthony davis = $0 donation

So far. I'm sure he'll donate to the fund. And his donation will equal or exceed Vick's as a percentage of income.

[dawgland]

my point is, does it make him less of a person because he didn't donate as much??

keep in mind vick was the first athlete that was reported donating money, kind of sets the bar

also like i mentioned, hamilton was always in the building that was shot, he likely knew more people around the exact situation

[deltbucs]

Originally Posted by dawgland

my point is, does it make him less of a person because he didn't donate as much??

keep in mind vick was the first athlete that was reported donating money, kind of sets the bar

also like i mentioned, hamilton was always in the building that was shot, he likely knew more people around the exact situation

Vick was at least the first to have a press release about himself donating.

Vick = Cheap *******

[Buc2]

Originally Posted by dawgland

my point is, does it make him less of a person because he didn't donate as much??

keep in mind vick was the first athlete that was reported donating money, kind of sets the bar

also like i mentioned, hamilton was always in the building that was shot, he likely knew more people around the exact situation

Excellent point. He may have even known some of the students that were murdered or wounded. That would have made it much more personal for me, for sure!

[dawgland]

Originally Posted by Buc2

Excellent point. He may have even known some of the students that were murdered or wounded. That would have made it much more personal for me, for sure!

i was thinking more along the line of the teachers, but yeah

[pmcd95]

So vick makes 5.1 mill and donated $10,000. This man makes $275,000 and donates $50,000. I am not saying Vick is any less of a man, but to give up that much of your salary, that is a hell of a deed.

[punch40]

Excellent job by Hamilton. And it makes that other guy look even smaller.

[cadillac willy]

Originally Posted by dawgland

don't make this into a comparison of 2 people just because you don't like one

because hey, i can add a 3rd one
anthony davis = $0 donation

Good.

**** Anthony Davis.

[Lane1220]

Wow, and to think a millionare like Vick only donated 10k.

[GSnake]

Although I was slighlty dissapointed that Vick didn't donate more, it showed ALOT of class on his behalf to be one of the first to contribute. I was impressed to see the Vick had enough awareness to donate any money at all to this fund.

I think sometimes (and this is mostly due to the amount of people who hate Vick on this board), it's not how much, it's the thought that counts. Although I guess it can be said that Hamilton really did outreach to this cause donating 20% of his salary to it.

[Pewterslimsme]

Originally Posted by deltbucs

Vick was at least the first to have a press release about himself donating.

I actually think that may be how he found out he'd donated.

[Slash]

Nothing needs to be said about Vick. I'd rather focus on what Justin Hamilton did. His deed speeks volumes. Vick's actions throughout his career speak for themselves, not just in this matter.

[HoodedChampion]

wow, what an incredible young man.

[KiffininCanton]

Originally Posted by dawgland

don't make this into a comparison of 2 people just because you don't like one

because hey, i can add a 3rd one
anthony davis = $0 donation

And no Buc fan likes Davis.

And frankley, who knows if Davis gave anything. Some people don't like their donations to be made public.

money for what? where is this money going?

[dawgland]

Originally Posted by TheChronic

money for what? where is this money going?

i too was trying to figure that out

people made a big deal that vick "only" donated 10k, who the hell was it too

[creeper]

Originally Posted by TheChronic

money for what? where is this money going?

it states right in the article "Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund" do a google search and you would find this on it:

"Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund

April 16, 2007, will be remembered as one of the darkest days in the history of the Virginia Tech community and the world beyond.

To remember and honor the victims of those tragic events, the university has established the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund to aid in the healing process.

The fund will be used to cover expenses including but not limited to:

* Assistance to victims and their families
* Grief counseling
* Memorials
* Communication expenses
* Comfort expenses"