Champions 4 Children Athletes at Valerie’s House

We’re so grateful to the Champions 4 Children athletes who came out and spent time with our kids—throwing passes, shooting hoops, joining in on a grief activity with our families, and even reflecting on their own grief.

They didn’t just stop by. They showed up, connected, and made time for each of our kids in a way that really matters.

Thank you to:

• O.J. McDuffie (Penn State, Miami Dolphins)
• Marco Rivera (Penn State, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys)
• Frank Winters (Western Illinois, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers)
• Troy Drayton (Penn State, St. Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers)
• Greg Johnson (Oklahoma, Miami Dolphins)
• Rick Cerone (Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Montreal Expos)
• Dennis Rasmussen (San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals)
• Larry Collura (Arizona State University, New York Yankees)
• Jack Givens (University of Kentucky, Atlanta Hawks)
• Bernie Kosar (University of Miami, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins)
• Jim Andrews (University of Kentucky)
• Landon Tengwell (Penn State University)

Many of these athletes have walked through loss themselves. It’s not always something they talk about, but our kids feel that. There’s a level of understanding there that you can’t fake.

And that’s what makes a day like this so meaningful.

Our kids don’t just hear that things can get better—they see it. They see people who have gone through hard things and still found a way forward.

And in moments like this, our kids are reminded that loss doesn’t have to limit your dreams.