This summer as some NFL players were engrossed in tedious billion-dollar negotiations during the league’s lockout, Pro Bowler Aaron Kampman and his wife, Linde, focused their attention on poverty-stricken children in El Salvador.
Kampman, a defensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars, says he was humbled to find that the children weren’t excited to see him because of his celebrity status, but rather because he was a Compassion International child sponsor.
“A lot of times here in the States I’m recognized as an NFL player, and many think that gives me great value,” Kampman says. “While I love the game, it’s through the eyes of these Compassion children that I can see a greater value and importance for my life beyond the football field and the potential we each have to help a child.”
As a sponsor Kampman met some of the children for which he
made school, health care, nutrition, regular meals and spiritual support possible.
Kampman’s teammate Russell Allen, who joined him on the trip, was shocked when 13-year-old Rudy was more grateful for his sponsor than for the oft-coveted signed sports gear he was given.
“Rudy didn’t care about the T-shirts and sports paraphernalia we brought him—which was surprising for someone who has probably never received his own brand-new shirt,” Allen says.”
Aaron Kampman used the off-season to visit his sponsored child in El Salvador
