By Mark Eckel/Engagement Insider
Drew Stanton sees the passion and determination in the children he’s trying to help and hopes people see the same passion in him.
Stanton, the Arizona Cardinals quarterback, started The High 5ive Foundation in 2008 to improve the quality of life for all people with varying disabilities through raising public awareness and inspiring individuals toward achieving personal goals which at one time seemed unattainable.
“It all started when I was at Michigan State and got involved with the people there,’’ Stanton said. “I saw some of the good things they were doing and wanted to help. As I progressed with my career I’ve been able to do more.’’
The High 5ive’s fundraising helps the Special Olympics, the Children’s Miracle Network, Sparrow’s Children Center, the Cystic Fibrosis Center and Orchard’s Children’s Services. For Stanton it’s all about helping the kids.
“You see the passion and determination they have,’’ Stanton said of watching the Special Olympics. “Just the fulfillment they get from catching a pass or shooting a basketball, or just running in a race. It gets to you, it does. I knew right away it was something I wanted to be a part of it and do whatever I could to help.’’
Stanton’s NFL career began not far from where his college career ended when he was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2007 Draft.
“When I was with the Lions, I wanted to do more, and they were great about it,’’ Stanton said. “That when we started High 5ive and we’ve been going and building it ever since.’’
High 5ive’s big event is the annual golf outing held in East Lansing, Michigan every spring. This year’s outing is scheduled for June 13 and promises to be the best one yet.
Several of Stanton’s former college and current NFL teammates and opponents will be on hand and the golfing has some unique turns on the 18 holes.
“We try to make it fun and do things a little different,’’ the quarterback said. “We’ll have different events at each hole. There’s a Chipolte hole, an ice cream hole, wings, pizza, margaritas, snow cones, each hole has a different theme to it. It works out pretty well.’’
And the celebrity guests continue to increase every year as well.
“This will be the sixth year,’’ Stanton said. “And it’s to the point now where guys call me to come to it. It’s been great.’’
While Stanton says “Michigan State, and East Lansing, will always be home’’ he is nestled in the Arizona desert now, as he rehabs a knee injury that cost him the final month of last season and the Cards’ playoff loss to Carolina.
His next mission is to get some High 5ive events going in the Phoenix area, one is a Kickball tournament that he started and has become an annual event across Michigan.
“I’d like to get things going out here,’’ Stanton said. “This is a big area, and a lot of the guys here do a lot of great things for the community. I’ve been involved with a lot of that. So, I’m hoping to get some of our things started here. I think the kickball would be great.’’
Stanton got his chance with the Cardinals this past fall early in the season when starting quarterback Carson Palmer had an arm injury; and then again later when Palmer went down with a torn ACL.
He had the Cards in first place in the tough NFC West and with the best record in the NFC before he too saw his season end with a knee injury.
The rehab is going well and he plans to be on the field when the team meets for its OTAs and minicamps this spring.
He’ll also be leading the High 5ive Foundation as he works his way back into playing shape.
“I really enjoy this,’’ Stanton said. “I really want to help these kids. I’m going on eight years in the NFL and happy I’ve been able to do something. I hope people see the passion."
“My goal, and don’t get me wrong the money we raise is great for the organizations, but my goal is for people to see the passion I have. That spreads and that gets more people involved. And that’s what’s really important.’’