Monday night, Earl Thomas and his Seattle teammates came together to help host the Guardian Angel Foundation’s Steaks and Seahawks fundraiser at Daniel’s Broiler in Bellevue. The event raised over $230,000 for ET III’s foundation, which he started last year with the aim of helping families affected by natural disasters.
“It’s very, very impressive,” Earl, who donated $50,000 out of his own pocket, told Seahawks.com. “I didn’t know what to expect because this was my first time doing this and I didn’t know how the crowd was going to turn out, but the thing that I did learn from the experience was the energy. All the good stories that you heard – of course, we raised a lot of money to benefit a great cause – but just me, I’m the foundation of the foundation and it’s a big step in my life.”
Earl’s cause is personal one, as he spent much of his junior year of high school living in a motel after Hurricane Rita destroyed his family home.
“”There are situations that are out of our control … natural disasters, and that’s what we want to help out with,” ET III said. “I’ve been through it, I’ve lived it and I don’t want other kids to have to go through that.”
The event saw Seahawks like ET III, Richard Sherman, Bobby Wagner, Bruce Irvin, Marshawn Lynch, Cooper Helfet, DeShawn Stead, and K.J. Wright serve appetizers and mingle with hundreds of ticket-holders and guests.
Earl said he appreciated the support of his fellow Seahawks in helping him host the event.
“God has given me so much so it’s important to give back,” No. 29 said. “Having these guys here make this even greater.”
Sherman told the Bellevue Reporter that he was happy to support Earl and his foundation, as he considers ET III to be family.
“It’s an important foundation,” Sherman said. “And I wanted to help any way I could. He’s like family to me and I wanted to support my brother.”
Monday’s event was the first of many charity events that Earl has planned for the Seattle area. In addition, ET III remains committed to helping serve his community of Orange, Texas as he has done for several years, mainly through his annual free youth football camp.
“Something spoke to me to do my part, especially for the next generation,” ET III told the Bellevue Reporter. “You never know who your generosity is going to affect. Who is going to be the next doctor, lawyer or someone that does something amazing like find a cure for a disease.”
RELATED ARTICLES
- Earl Thomas raises more than 230K with Steaks & Seahawks Event (Seahawks.com, Nov. 20, 2014)
- Seahawks serve up steaks, raise $230K for charity (Bellevue Reporter, Nov. 17, 2014)
Earl Thomas, you are one of the best to ever play the game! What you do off the field makes you by far one of the most inspirational players to play the game. Your faith and love of your higher power is what makes you, in my eyes in the top three to EVER PLAY safety in the NFL. I only wish more players lived life and gave back to their community the way you do. I coach youth football today because of my love for football. I was raised in Bellevue, Wa. Was all conference LB for Newport H.S. In the 90’s, but was never big enough to take it to the next level. Watching you play football the way you play, inspirers me as a coach to teach my kids anybody, no matter what can be GREAT. I hope maybe you could come over here to Yakima, Wa. Where I reside now days and tell your story. I know you’ll be back for the 2017 season because you are the greatest of safeties and your faith and belief are most inspiring for old men like myself. Hope your healing good my brother, and hope to hear from you!