Tackling the Hard Issues with NFL’s Kelvin Beachum 🏈

WE’RE TALKING TOUCHDOWNS AND TIDES

Kelvin Lee Beachum Jr. is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He has been named the weekly NFL Players Association Community MVP Award a record five times. Read on to learn why he chooses to drive change as an athlete, and as a Team Ocean Captain.

Q: You’ve made your mark on the field and community service. What inspired you to add ocean conservation to your playbook with Protect Where We Play?

A: I have been passionate about providing clean water access for years. Access to clean water is crucial for human health and survival, as it prevents waterborne diseases, supports basic hygiene practices, is essential for agriculture and food production, and can significantly improve quality of life by reducing the burden of fetching water, especially on women and children in many communities. To me, water equals freedom. The freedom for a healthy population, a thriving society, and ocean conservation are a big part of that. It’s essential to protect where we play now to ensure the next generations have that same ability.

Q: As a five-time NFL Players Association Community MVP, you’re no stranger to making an impact. What unique perspective do you bring to your role as Team Ocean Captain?

A: I’m an offensive lineman — I’m a trench guy. I like to be on the front lines, doing the work. I am someone who has benefited from the generosity of others when I needed it. My faith calls me to serve others. Everyone can, in their own small way, make a big impact. I am fortunate to have a large platform so my impact can go further. I feel like I can be a strong leader who galvanizes others to serve alongside me. Humanity is our community, and we can all do our part. We all must do our part.

Q: Between your NFL career and community work, what legacy do yo©u hope to leave for future generations, especially your children? 

A: Legacy is a long-lasting impact that remains long after we are gone. For me, I want to leave this world and my communities better than I found them. I want my children to have the opportunity to serve with me and sustain that service for generations. Ingraining in them a spirit of service gives way for that legacy to take shape because it will not be out of obligation but out of desire for better, for more, for all. 

Q: Is there a personal connection that drives your commitment to ocean conservation with PWWP and SailGp?

A: What I love about SailGP is that they equate excellence in impact with excellence in competition. I’m an athlete and know that our job and goal is to perform. I am also someone who prioritizes philanthropy and service to others off the field. But to have an entity that prioritizes and makes space for both simultaneously is both special and important. We have a responsibility to our environment and our communities. I take that responsibility seriously. Protecting where we play includes protecting where we learn, where we spend time with loved ones, and where we create. What’s more personal than that? 

“A clean ocean matters because it plays a crucial role in regulating our climate, producing oxygen for the planet, providing a vital source of food for humans, and contributing to a healthy global ecosystem. It provides and sustains life. Supporting Protect Where We Play is vital in protecting all our futures.”

– Kelvin Beachum, NFL Athlete and Team Ocean Captain

Q: For fans looking to follow your lead, what’s your game plan for protecting our oceans? You’ve always played to win; how do we win for the Ocean?

A: You’ve done it by joining Team Ocean. It starts with curiosity. Your email allows you to get the information you need to make an impact. Protecting where we play begins with being informed. As for actionable steps, you can donate, volunteer, educate others, and advocate for policy change. Ocean Conservancy can remove 2 pounds of trash for every dollar you donate, while other donations fund research and other programs that immediately impact our oceans. Volunteering allows you to make an impact directly with your own two hands. Signing petitions gives us a more prominent voice to pass legislation that protects our oceans.