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| Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy talking to Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers on IG Live about the Barstool Fund and helping out struggling small businesses (Credit: @stoolpresidente) |
Just a week before Christmas, Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy started the Barstool Fund to help struggling small businesses deal with pandemic restrictions. Now, he has raised well past $20M thanks to help from his "Stoolies" and guys like, oh, just the NFL MVP favorite Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers earned the #1 seed in the NFC for logging a 13-3 record while completing over 70% of his passes for almost 4300yd and 48TD on just 5INT.
Because the Green Bay Packers are awaiting the lowest seed to emerge from the wild card round during their awarded bye week, their QB had some time to sit down with Portnoy Friday night on Instagram and help promote the Barstool Fund.
Check it out here:
If you are reading this because you know me, you know very well this is the first time I have ever complimented Aaron Rodgers.
This is merely due to a lifelong sports debate I have with people on my TV screen. It will continue, due to sports reasons only, in the near future. But for now, all I can do is applaud.
Rodgers was great, not only did he match Portnoy's $500K donation, but he brought attention to the fund to his social media followers and also brought up some great points that I believe much of the country could listen to.
He cited how unfortunate it is that some of these Northern California small businesses have overcome 2 wild fires and now have to try to stay afloat with these restrictions and how that isn't fair to them.
He also told Portnoy "your an east coast guy, I'm a west coast guy" but it's affecting everyone, obviously.
When recent politically driven events were mentioned, the Super Bowl Champ emphasized "this isn't about any politics, this is about our people."
One of my favorite parts of the video is when he said "it's an important message you guys are spreading of love and hope when all we are getting from the media is fear and things that make us scared."
The Today Show, FOX, some CNBC programs, and others have covered this fund. I'm sorry I've left out some smaller outlets in different parts of the country and wish I could credit everyone, they are all doing their jobs to the fullest extent. But so many more journalists need to write a story on this because it's about helping people. Journalists are supposed to hold people of power in check. They are supposed to bring an UNBIASED voice to the voiceless. And in this case, they are supposed to bring light to people solving a crisis.
It's about exposure.
It's about coverage.
It's about eyeballs.
If the Boston Globe can write a hit-piece on Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady, who has contributed to this fund, for raising millions of dollars for Best Buddies or New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft for donating over 1 million N-95 masks to 2 of America's biggest cities, then they can bring some attention to save the small businesses in their community that keep the community running.
This is also one of the topics of a news story I learned from current and former successful journalists during my time at both Suffolk University and Emerson College. It's not a little "pat on the back" to write a story on this, it requires coverage, it's relevant to all.
Barstool's own Kirk Minihane would love those last few parts.
So this could just be a rant on a blog that I enjoy doing but is also supposed to show off my talents to help my resume, but hey, I could've watched Aaron Rodgers talk all night, and if you ask anyone who knows me, they wouldn't believe I spoke fondly of Rodgers.
I could've made this the headline: "Rodgers to Portnoy: 'Your a Real Hero'"
That would've been reasonable. See for yourself:
They aren't stepping off the gas anytime soon. The NFC Championship QBs could be Brady and Rodgers who both have pledged extremely generous support. The AFC Championship could contain on one sideline Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen, who is all about raising money for multiple charities and has already helped this one, and on the other sideline Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield, who has already done business with Barstool in the past and I wouldn't be surprised if he gets involved with this soon, if he hasn't already.
America's Center David Andrews, Patriots WR Julian Edelman, and many other guys (sorry to those I missed) around the NFL have donated. Part of why Rodgers went on a livestream with Portnoy was to bring even more attention to this. He wants other players across the league as well as his fans to get involved. He's just trying to help those who need it.
You can donate or request funds HERE.
Or should I just write about Jared Goff's thumb?
Thanks for reading this and check out our latest below including a story on Barstool CEO Erika Nardini talking to some small business owners being helped out by the fund on her first 'Token CEO' of the year. If you can, follow us on on Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram!