How did Kansas City Chiefs G Brian Waters celebrate getting named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl? By reflecting on his journey to that apex and helping others in a similar situation. You see, Waters knows how difficult things can be when you are a child. Growing up in Texas, it was his grandmother that was a central figure in his development into manhood. Today, he is recognized as one of the NFL’s top interior offensive lineman, a transition that likely wouldn’t have happened without that nurturing. It is because of that fact that Waters recently joined with Dick’s Sporting Goods for a special holiday-themed event.

Together with some of his teammates, Waters hosted a pizza party and holiday shopping spree for 50 children representing the Curtis McClinton Kansas City Keys Football League. The namesake of that league, Chiefs Hall of Fame RB Curtis McClinton, was also in attendance for this shopping extravaganza. Following pizza at a metro-area Dick’s Sporting Goods store, Waters and his Chiefs colleagues gave each child a $100 gift certificate, assisting them in shopping for holiday treasures. These gift cards were donated by Dick’s.

“This is really great,” Waters noted. “It was important for me to help make sure these kids get a holiday to remember. We aren’t all luck enough to have gifts under our tree during this time of year. This is a little way I can make sure these kids get that opportunity.”

“What Brain Waters and the Chiefs have done here is outstanding,” McClinton added. “It means an awful lot to these children that they not only receive these items from their holiday shopping list but that they also get the opportunity to meet some of their football idols.”

Waters established the “Brian Waters 54 Foundation” in 2005 to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate. He works closely with the Love Fund for Children and serves as co-chairman for the Chiefs First Downs for Down Syndrome program which raises $400,000 annually based on the production of the Chiefs offensive line.

Pittsburgh-based Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. is an authentic full-line sporting goods retailer offering a broad assortment of brand name sporting goods equipment, apparel, and footwear in a specialty store environment. As of October 28, 2006, the Company operated 294 stores in 34 states primarily throughout the Eastern half of the U.S.

Founded in 1976, the Kansas City Keys believe the way to create responsible citizens is through the education of our youth. The Kansas City Keys take a holistic approach to the development of our youth through an intertwined combination of activities for the body (athletics), mind (education) and spirit (creating extended families and encouraging young people to seek out God).

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