Newly retired Marshawn Lynch has wasted no time getting back to work. Only this time, it’s a different kind of work. Lynch recently went on a trip to Haiti with NFL players Cliff Avril and Stephen Tulloch, as well as a number of other volunteers, to help out the kids there.
Cliff Avril, who is a defensive end for the Seahawks, came up with the idea for the trip. Being of Haitian descent, he used to visit Haiti frequently as a kid and developed a deep love for his country. Before his dad passed away last spring, he told Cliff that he wanted him to go back to Haiti to help the less fortunate. This year, he was determined to fulfill his father’s wishes.
During their week-long stay in Port-au-Prince, Avril, Lynch, Tulloch, and the other volunteers helped rebuild an elementary school, hosted a medical clinic, held a football camp, and gave away Nike gear. They wanted to emphasize the importance of education and inspire healthier living, while also introducing American football to the kids there. The trip was organized by an international charity organization called Free the Children.
This is not the first time these guys have given back to the community. Avril has a foundation that is active in Seattle, Charlotte, and Jacksonville, and Lynch recently went to Egypt to coach a football camp.
“It’s awesome to have their support,” Avril said to Seahawks.com about his fellow volunteers. “It’s awesome to be in a situation where guys are willing to take that step with you. Marshawn wants to help actually build the school out there. There’s a lot of good guys in the NFL… It’s cool to have these guys’ support.”
Here are some more photos from their trip:
Photo: Manish Gosalia
Photo: Manish Gosalia
Photo: Manish Gosalia
Photo: Manish Gosalia
