NFL players unite to help build East Tampa playgrounds

Seven NFL players helped turn a vacant East Tampa lot into a playground Wednesday morning as part of the Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP Program.

All-Pro players such as Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, Eagles safety Brian Dawkins, Panthers receiver Steve Smith and Falcons linebacker Keith Brooking joined about 160 Home Depot associates and about 40 volunteers from CDC (Corporation to Develop Communities) of Tampa in building a new public playground and an additional one at the King's Kids Christian Academy.

"I'm having a good time doing a good thing," Dawkins said while laying tile on the academy playground.

The seven players -- Witten, Dawkins, Smith, Brooking, Giants receiver Amani Toomer, Texans receiver Andre Johnson, Lions receiver Mike Furrey -- were selected as finalists for the Home Depot Neighborhood MVP Program out of 17 NFL players who dedicated themselves to charitable work in their individual markets. Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner was also nominated, but couldn't attend because he's preparing for the Super Bowl.

It's the program's second year (Last year's winner was Bucs running back Warrick Dunn), but this was the first time all the players gathered together for a playground building event.

Together, they worked on assembling a rock-climb wall, lifted a swing set into its bearings for concrete. Toomer painted signs with King's Kids Academy students. Smith, one of the more popular players, went from station to station, from hammering nails to planting flowers.

The players helped for about an hour and the morning ended with a ceremony that awarded Witten the MVP award, giving him a trophy and $25,000 for the Jason Witten Foundation, a charity focused on helping those affected by domestic abuse. Before leaving, the players signed autographs for the volunteers.

"It's not just what we're doing physically here, everyone's out here strengthening the community," Toomer said.

-- Eduardo A. Encina, Times Staff Writer

Giants receiver Amani Toomer and Lions reciever Mike Furrey work to assemble a rock-climbing wall as part of the Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP event Wednesday. (Times photo/Eduardo A. Encina

Check back later this afternoon for a Q&A with Witten and click HERE for more photos.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith helps lay down frames for a planter Wednesday as part of the Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP event in East Tampa. (Eduardo A. Encina)

Eagles safety Brian Dawkins helps lay tile for the King's Kids Christian Academy playground as part of the Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP event Wednesday. (Eduardo A. Encina)

Comments

[Climbing Frames Woman]

Thats so nice of them, hats off to the guys. Did they do a good job.

Thanks

Linda