Head Coach Jack Del Rio
A Silver and Black contingent will travel to Mexico City to perform philanthropic endeavors in advance of the Oakland Raiders arriving for their Monday Night, November 21 contest against the Houston Texans at Azteca Stadium. Linda and Lauren Del Rio, wife and daughter of Raiders Head Coach Jack Del Rio, will lead the group in Mexico City to participate in charitable work on Sunday, November 20, when the Jack Del Rio Foundation will donate backpacks, school supplies and playground balls to underserved children.
"I was inspired by the Sport in the Service of Humanity Conference in Rome," said Linda Del Rio. "After speaking with my fellow delegates, who all do amazing charitable work in the world of sport globally and in Third World countries on a daily basis, I believed that this would be a fantastic opportunity to give something sustainable back to Mexico City within the world of sport."
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In addition, a $10,000 check will be gifted to Mano Amiga from the Del Rio Foundation and NFL Mexico and toiletry kits will be provided to the parents within Mano Amiga. The Jack Del Rio Foundation is also donating a check in the amount of $8,000 to Mano Amiga for the purchase of athletic uniforms. Mano Amiga is a 20-year-old 501c3 non-profit company that organizes and facilitates mission trips for youth organizations from churches and schools and works to help people from Latin American countries that are in need.
"Mano Amiga thanks the Del Rio Foundation for the opportunity you offer our students to widen their horizons and aspirations through the passion and generosity of people and organizations like yours. Thank you for joining the mission of transforming lives through Mano Amiga," said Gina Chavez of Mano Amiga.
The Del Rios will be joined at the event in Mexico City by Raiders Alumnus Lincoln Kennedy, members of the Raiders Women's Association, Raiderettes, Raider Rusher, as well as representatives from NFL Mexico and Mano Amiga.
Local students in the Mano Amiga organization will participate in a free youth football clinic facilitated by the team and geared towards boys and girls. The clinic features the educational and recreational benefits of football presented in a safe and fun environment. The curriculum makes it so that any student can participate regardless of age, gender, ability or experience.
The Raiders have made several previous trips to Mexico City already this year. The Silver and Black hosted a Fan Fest to celebrate Day 3 of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Estadio Azteca Plaza in late April, where fans in attendance watched rounds 4-7 of the NFL Draft on large screens and experiences selection announcements, live performances, appearances by Raiders players and alumni, and performances by the Raiderettes. In addition, earlier this year Raiders running backs Latavius Murray and Taiwan Jones squared off in a can't-miss matchup as the two served as guest coaches in the Tochito Flag Football Championship in Mexico City.
The Raiders were also involved in a number activities recently in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. During a game in October, the Raiders honored Oakland's Chicana Latina Foundation Executive Director Olga Talamante as the recipient of the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award. The awards recognize the contributions of Hispanic leaders in each NFL market.
The Raiders also celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by partnering with a local Ballet Folklorico performance group to educate local underserved youth from Roosevelt Elementary School in the Oakland suburb of San Leandro about the history of Ballet Folklorico and its significance to the heritage of Mexico and Latin American culture. Raiders players Shilique Calhoun, Gabe Jackson, Taiwan Jones and Jaydon Mickens joined the Mexico Danza dancers and students in an energetic Ballet Folklorico session of learning traditional dance moves. The event tied in with Play 60 messaging of dance being an easy and fun way to be active for at least 60 minutes a day. Additionally, the group put on a traditional Ballet Folklorico performance.
Earlier this year, the Raiders were one of seven NFL teams to participate in an NFL PLAY 60 Character Camp. The camps are presented in partnership with the Muñoz Agency and USA Football and are part of the NFL's year-round Hispanic outreach initiative, focused on offering youth opportunities to play and experience the game of football while emphasizing exercise and reinforcing the importance of character in athletics and life.
