Former UofL Football player creates fund to help those affected by COVID-19

Former UofL Football player Jamon Brown, who is currently a guard for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, has launched a GoFundMe page through his J. Brown Foundation that specifically provides financial support for those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. 

WAVE3 reported that the fund’s purpose is "to provide financial assistance to those that are uninsured, underinsured, or economically disadvantaged in our communities."

The foundation's GoFundMe page is raising money for those in need of additional medical care after the initial free testing.

"Unfortunately, there’s an extremely high percentage of individuals that are not seeking medical attention, simply because they do not have the necessary insurance," the page reads. "Furthermore, we have already seen many instances, where those that have had a hospital stay after the initial free testing, were then sent a bill that was difficult for them to pay."

This work is starting in Jefferson County, Brown's hometown (he's a product of Fern Creek High School), and will eventually expand. 

The J. Brown Foundation will match the first $5,000 donated.

Brown, who not only played football for the Cardinals but also graduated from UofL in 2014 with a degree Justice Administration, is no stranger to philanthropy. Last year, for example, he visited Louisville’s West End School to talk to students about bullying. 

In fact, Brown established the Jamon Brown Foundation to help those in need in Louisville. In 2018, the organization funded a 13-and-under West Louisville all-star baseball team’s trip to the Babe Ruth World Series, and has also helped feed families for Thanksgiving and facilitated a toy drive for Christmas. 

Brown also hosts a free youth football camp with financial support from a golf fundraiser. His goal is to add more events, with a mission of “impacting the lives of those people who are struggling with violence, poverty and youth and young-adult homelessness.” 

“We have that ability to help anyone of any color, of any age, of any gender,” he told the Courier Journal in 2019. “I take pride in being from Louisville, man. … So I kind of wanted to be a picture of, ‘Hey, when you make it out, take pride in the city that you’re from and be able to be a part of its growth and helping it move ahead.’”