Few stories resonate as profoundly in the National Football League in 2023 as that of Jalen Carter, a rising star whose journey from the Apopka Blue Darters, to the national champion Georgia Bulldogs to the grand stage of the Philadelphia Eagles has captured the hearts of football enthusiasts.
Through his first five NFL games, Carter has 11 combined tackles, four quarterback hits, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He is certainly on track to become the NFL defensive rookie of the year, and has helped the Eagles get off to an impressive 5-0 start.
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Last week, the Apopka community was shocked by the news that an 11-year-old boy took a gun from his family's vehicle and shot two 13-year-olds at the Northwest Recreational Facility after a Pop Warner Football practice.
The incident made national headlines.
Carter, who played football at that very field in Apopka, wanted to help.
Carter's agent released the following statement:
"In the wake of the Pop Warner football practice shooting in Apopka, Jalen Carter, defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles, will be donating money to the Apopka Pop Warner Board for mental health and counseling services for the players, their family and members of the community. Carter grew up in Apopka and played Pop Warner at the same complex in which the shooting took place. Following an altercation, an 11-year-old boy took a gun from an unlocked box of his mother's car and shot two 13-year-old members of the team."
WHEN: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2023
WHEN: 6:45PM EST
WHERE: NORTHWEST RECREATION COMPLEX
3710 Jason Dwelley Parkway, Apopka, FL
Tonique Brown, Jalen's mom, will present the check on behalf of Jalen.
The ceremony will take place Thursday, October 12th, at 6:45pm at the Northwest Recreation Complex located at 3710 Jason Dwelley Parkway in Apopka.
October is National Mental Health Awareness month.
