He's currently the league leader in receptions on the field. He's also an exemplary role model off of it.
Tight end Zach Ertz **was named the NFLPA Community MVP** for Week 5 of the 2018 season on Friday. Ertz was honored for donating $80,000 to Mission of Hope: Haiti to create the Ertz Family Foundation Haiti Scholarship Program. This initiative will provide full scholarships to orphaned graduating high school students living in Haiti.
"I am beyond honored to have been named the NFLPA Week 5 Community MVP," said Ertz, who had seven catches for 43 yards and a touchdown in Thursday night's win over the Giants. Ertz has 48 receptions, more than any player entering this Sunday's slate of games. "My wife Julie and I are driven to make positive and enduring change in our beloved city of Philadelphia, in California, in Haiti, and around the world."
Both the foundation and subsequent scholarship program stemmed from a trip to Haiti earlier this year by the Ertzes. Upon returning, the couple vowed to find ways to help others and spread hope in America and abroad.
The scholarship fund marks one of the first steps taken by the **Ertz Family Foundation**, launched in June by Ertz and his wife, Julie, who won a FIFA World Cup as a member of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team. Their non-profit organization strives to empower others by sharing faith, learning through sports and advancing education to build supportive communities.
"We are committed to bringing love and hope to all of these communities and thank you for this honor," Ertz said.
Eagles players traveled to Haiti with Mission of Hope in April. Take a look at all the photos from their trip.
In April, Eagles players traveled to Haiti.
They went with Mission of Hope Haiti, an organization that aims to bring life transformation to every man, woman, and child in Haiti.
QB Carson Wentz also went to Haiti with Mission of Hope in 2017.
The players took part in different activities during the trip.
By partnering with local churches and indigenous organizations throughout Haiti, Mission of Hope feeds over 91,000 children daily.
The players, including WR Rashard Davis, helped paint a house in one of the villages.
The painted house helped transform the entire community.
QB Carson Wentz
A group photo with the painting crew!
Having some fun!
The group also attended a sports clinic with the kids.
TE Zach Ertz and the rest of the group later went to the building site of a future sports complex to help with Phase 1 of construction.
The 60-acre sports complex will host sports leagues for 15,000 kids annually.
It will also provide programs focused on character development, education, and discipline.
The sports complex will have 10 soccer fields, basketball courts, a community park, and more.
Phase 1 of construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2018.
QB Nate Sudfeld
Wentz's AO1 Foundation is helping fund the sports complex project.
On another day, the group drove up the moutain to see the farming process in Haiti.
They learned about how the land is farmed and how they work on the terrain.
After that experience, the players packaged and delivered meals for children at the orphange.
They also handed out shoes.
Wentz with one of the children.
Smile!
They also played games with the kids while visiting.
TE Zach Ertz
Everyone on the trip had an unforgettable experience.
They can't wait to go back in the future!
In August, the Ertz Family Foundation donated $10,000 to Kensington High School in Pennsylvania after the football team lost all of its equipment following a break-in. Ertz and his wife will again give back to the Philadelphia community on November 29, when their foundation hosts the City of Love Gala and Auction Fundraiser. The proceeds will benefit their City of Love Fund, a grant-making program devoted to supporting local charities in Philadelphia that align with their foundation's three pillars: youth sports, education and family.
Ertz, along with the other 2018 Community MVPs, will become eligible for this year's Alan Page Community Award, which is the highest honor that the NFLPA can bestow upon a player. This award, previously honoring Byron "Whizzer" White has been taken home by an Eagle in each of the last two seasons – Malcolm Jenkins in 2016 and Chris Long a year ago.
