NY Jets’ Justin Hardee wins NFLPA Community MVP

Due to his work off the field, Justin Hardee was awarded with the NFLPA’s community service award for Week 3

Another New York Jets player has won a weekly award – this one coming off the field.

Justin Hardee, the Jets’ special teams ace and captain, was honored by the NFL Players Association for his work within the community this week.

From undrafted rookie to Pro Bowler to now, #CommunityMVP 📈@jhardee_19 is our Week 3 honoree after the @nyjetsDB donated $5,000 worth of backpacks & school supplies to more than 150 at-risk youth @BoysGirlsNewark.
🔗: https://t.co/drH63b0Xz3 pic.twitter.com/oqEgNmjAXa

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) September 22, 2023

Hardee donated over $5,000 worth of school supplies and backpacks to the Boys and Girls Club of Newark. The Jets’ special teamer said in a post on X that he “just wanted to be around them, showing them that it’s possible” and that “the purpose is much bigger than me.”

Yesterday I was blessed enough to go visit the Boys and Girls club of Newark. I gave away book bags with school supplies! In honesty I just wanted to be around them showing them that it’s possible! Showed up by myself 🤷🏽‍♂️! But the purpose is much bigger than me 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/aS4QNDtE4d

— Justin Hardee Sr. (@jhardee_19) September 19, 2023

This is not the first time Hardee has given back to the community. Back in August, Hardee donated over 300 backpacks and other school supplies to Cleveland children in need. Hardee grew up in Cleveland and wanted to give back to his hometown during the summer.

Last Saturday, I was fortunate enough to donate over 300 book bags & school supplies to kids in my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. It’s a Blessing to give back. pic.twitter.com/m1cm2vLB1X

— Justin Hardee Sr. (@jhardee_19) August 19, 2023

It is very easy for athletes to not give back to their communities and to stay within themselves. Hardee is not in that camp; he is willing to go above and beyond to help those in need.

Through his actions, Hardee showed that he is the embodiment of a captain on and off the field and is a great representative of the Jets and the NFL as a whole.