Jarvis Green - A Man On A Mission
Thursday, May 24, 2007
playersinc.com


Jarvis Green is a professional football player with two Super Bowl rings, but you wouldn't know it by talking to him.

Green is as dedicated to helping others as he is to helping his team win football games. On June 1, The Jarvis Green Foundation Wine Tasting Gala will take place in Seekonk, Mass.

Green, who was born in Thibodaux, La. and played his college ball at Louisiana State University, is using his stance as an NFL player to give back to an area that was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. He has made it his goal to help the victims of this disaster and next Friday's banquet is one way of doing so.

Featuring a world-renowned jazz band playing live music, hor'derves and fine wine, the event takes place from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at Johnson & Wales Inn. A number of different silent and live auctions will be held with all proceeds benefiting Hurricane Katrina victims. According to http://www.jarvisgreen.com/, among the items up for bid are sports memorabilia, dinners, event packages, weekend getaway trips and a private, one-on-one kicking clinic with New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski at Gillette Stadium. Gostkowski's 52-yard field goal against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 26, 2006 was the longest by a Patriots player at Gillette Stadium.

Sponsored by Topps, Iron Mountain Sports and Chris Gasbarro's Fine Wine & Spirits, the banquet is in its first year. Green, a defensive end for the Patriots, will be joined by some of his teammates and other local celebrities. Among the 15 players expected to attend are Laurence Maroney, Dontè Stallworth, Adalius Thomas, Wes Welker, Kevin Faulk and Chad Jackson.

"Up here in the Northeast, I think a lot of people have forgotten about those victims because we still have a lot of victims out there," said Green, who lost several family members in the aftermath of Katrina. "Hopefully, we can continue this process to remind people of what's going on back home and a lot of people will be coming out for a good cause and to have some fun."

Tickets for the event, which benefits single mothers and widows burdened by the hurricane, are $100 each or eight for $700. Several sponsorship packages are available, ranging from $1,500 to $10,000. Those wishing to sponsor the reception can receive: tickets to the event, an opportunity to give a welcome speech, a banner with company logo, company name in the program, company logo on the foundation's Web site, a spot on sponsorship sign at the event, a full-page advertisement in the auction catalog and live recognition at the event.

"It's just a way to show everybody that we can still come together; it's been almost two years since the hurricane and it's important for me to give back to my hometown," Green said.

The Jarvis Green Foundation seeks to support single, working mothers with at least two children that have sustained a loss and are below a given amount of income. Serving his community is something Green takes great pride in, as evidenced by his winning of the 2006 New England Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award.

"It takes a lot for a person to go out there and do those things," Green said of working in the community. "It comes from the heart to go out there and do community service."


That game will be in my memories forever, and I'll tell my kids and my grandkids about it. I thank God for that.
-- Jarvis Green

A fourth-round draft pick in 2002, Green has played all five of his NFL seasons in New England. After a dominant college career at LSU, he has made long strides since entering the league and was an important reserve on a pair of Super Bowl-winning teams. Serving as star defensive end Richard Seymour's primary backup, he has started 21 of 78 games and recorded 179 tackles (112 solo), 18.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

"It's been a blessing for me to come out of LSU, being a fourth-round pick, and for the Patriots to give me the chance to go out and play," Green said of his playing career. "It's a first-class organization and it's an honor for me to be there. The two championships I have, and going into my sixth year, I have so much that I'm blessed with and Lord-willing, I can continue to keep playing and take it one year at a time," he added.

Having played alongside both his brother Jason and his cousin Howard at LSU, Green has always been an intriguing player to watch. His most memorable individual performance came on Jan. 18, 2004 on one of the NFL's biggest stages.

In the AFC Championship Game that day, Green led the charge against the Indianapolis Colts for a Patriots defense that had been stingy all year long. He set career highs with 2.5 sacks (of Peyton Manning, no less) and six tackles (five solo). Green said it was a game he'll never forget.

"That game is in the past, but I think it's going to be a memory in my head forever," Green said. "I never thought I'd be in that position to earn a Super Bowl ring so early in my career. That game will be in my memories forever, and I'll tell my kids and my grandkids about it. I thank God for that."

While New England has made several roster moves during the offseason, Green appears to remain an important part of the defense. Green is welcoming the new additions into the Patriots' team-first locker room.

"Going out and adding quality players like Adalius Thomas, Dontè Stallworth, Wes Welker and Sammy Morris and all of those players is a big boost to our team," Green said on his Web site. "Bringing in those players and keeping some of our key players, including cornerback Asante Samuel, gives us some momentum for sure. We felt we had a pretty good year in 2006, and we are going to welcome in the new players. There isn't going to be any jealousy among the players. It's not about the money with us; it is about winning the Super Bowl in the locker room."

During the offseason, Green has enjoyed spending time with his family and is currently working out to prepare for the 2007 season. But he also chose to embark on an experience most NFL players do not—he started an internship in restaurant management.

"I want to know the entire business—from the bus boys to the chefs to everyone. I'm at the Providence Prime And Oyster Bar and it's been very educational for me," Green said. "Some day I want to maybe get in the business, so I have to know everything—the bartenders, the servers, all aspects of the business."

With the humble, classy approach he brings to all his endeavors, Green is able to tackle anything that comes his way.

Anyone interested in attending Jarvis Green's fundraiser can visit http://www.jarvisgreen.com/foundation.asp or call (310) 289-4476 to purchase tickets.

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