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Cowboys Star Pledges $1 Million Guaranteed to Support Veterans’ Mental Health

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Dallas, TX – September 23, 2025 – After Week 3, the Cowboys announced a major community commitment: $1 million in guaranteed contract money will be redirected to fund programs supporting U.S. veterans’ mental health across the country.

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The announcement arrived as the Cowboys regroup from a tough start, sparking conversation about leadership off the field. In Dallas, where tradition and responsibility run deep, the pledge struck an emotional chord with fans and teammates alike.

 

The player behind the move is defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, a rising leader on the defensive front. Known for his relentless motor, Odighizuwa wanted his latest impact to be felt far beyond the gridiron.

The $1 million will help launch the “Gridiron Resilience Program,” an initiative partnering with the NFL Foundation and local Dallas organizations. Its aim is to provide therapy, wellness resources, and long-term community support tailored for veterans.

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Planned projects include rehabilitation camps with football-inspired exercises, counseling centers across Dallas, and VR technology offering exposure therapy for PTSD. The program hopes to cut waiting times for treatment and provide consistent support for families.

Cowboys Nation quickly rallied behind the gesture. One fan on X wrote: “He’s fighting for more than wins. $1 million for veterans is why this team represents Texas pride.” The hashtag #CowboysForHeroes soon gained momentum online.

 

Head coach Mike McCarthy praised the move, saying Odighizuwa embodies the toughness and integrity expected of Cowboys players. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also commended the pledge as a powerful example of leadership beyond football.

 

Odighizuwa’s contract runs through 2026, but his influence continues to grow. With the Gridiron Resilience Program set to launch on Veterans Day, the Cowboys’ message is clear: In Dallas, greatness is measured on and off the field.

Chiefs Fan-Favourite WR Faces Family Tragedy After Week 5 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is mourning a devastating personal loss following the team’s Week 5 matchup, as his cousin Justin Fuller, a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville. Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters. Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee.  (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey ) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.” Rice, who grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose, has long credited that example with shaping his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Rashee that strength isn’t being unbreakable — it’s standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how Rashee lives and plays today.” As a featured target in the Chiefs’ offense, Rice has earned complete trust for his short-to-intermediate separation, yards-after-catch power (YAC), and chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Coaches describe him as “calm, focused, and mature beyond his years,” a disciplined route-runner who finds tight windows in the red zone. Through Week 5 of the 2025 season, Rice has no registered game statistics as he serves a league-issued six-game suspension to start the regular season; major stat services list no 2025 game logs to date.  The Kansas City Chiefs have provided time and private support for Rice and his family, ensuring he can grieve without team-related obligations. Teammates have stood beside him, honoring both his resilience and his family’s tradition of service. The FAA is investigating the incident, while messages commemorating “Spidey” continue to spread nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he flies higher than all of us,” one tribute read. Rice kept his public remarks brief before leaving in the embrace of teammates:“Spidey always told me not to fear the height — only the moment you forget to look down and pull someone else up with you. This week, I’m playing for him.”