Pitt safety David Green raising money for Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania

Senior Pitt defensive tackle David Green has spent the last five years with the Panthers and is entering his last year of eligibility in the 2023 season. But to go along with his final season, he wants to make an effort to give back to the Pittsburgh community.

The Central Catholic graduate from West Mifflin came to the Shadyside Boys & Girls Club on Wednesday afternoon to make an announcement for his first charity campaign of his newly established Giving Green Foundation.

“This upcoming season is my last dance with the Panthers, so I wanted to make it more special,” Green said Wednesday. “I’m teaming up with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania to start off the Giving Green Foundation. Every Saturday, I’ve worn the No. 2 on my jersey for the Panthers. So my goal is to raise $22,222 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania.”

Green told the Post-Gazette he spent many days in his youth at the Duquesne Boys & Girls Club playing sports and games in a safe environment that was important for him to grow. Now, he wants to help that same organization provide a similar experience for children in western Pennsylvania.

Green, who’s 23 years old, sports a full head of hair with long dreadlocks. The effort is similar to that of Cal Adomitis, a former long-snapper for Pitt who shaved his head as part of a charitable effort with Children’s Hospital during his final season with Pitt in 2021. That effort, along with those of other past Pitt players who helped raise money for other nonprofit organizations, is part of what Green describes as a natural part of Pitt football’s culture.

“It’s not even spoken about,” Green said about Pitt players’ efforts to raise money for Pittsburgh communities. “It starts with Damar [Hamlin] and what he did for his community, then with others like Cal [Adomitis] and Deslin [Alexandre] who raised money for children in Haiti last year. Now, it’s my turn. It’s something in the water here at Pitt that makes us want to give back.”

The gymnasium and the children who played there were not unfamiliar to Green, who had volunteered there along with other Pitt players like seniors Brandon George, Buddy Mack III, Shayne Simon and freshman Thomas Aden, who all attended Green’s announcement.

“David’s been here in this clubhouse helping kids and volunteering with teammates,” said Chris Watts, CEO and president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania. “He’s come to play with kids, engage in activities and has helped give them special experiences. It’s an incredible resource to have Pitt and Pitt’s athletes come to give back in our communities.”

Donations to the Giving Green Foundation in Green’s campaign to raise money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania can be made here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/givinggreen/.

Source:
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Christopher Carter