Rockets forward Jabari Smith, Jr., the son of former NBA player Jabari Smith, probably never grew up wanting for much.
But he has always had compassion for those who are less fortunate, and because of that, he understands the importance of giving back to them —not just monetary but with his time and presence.
“I’m in a position to help and you have to find the best way to do that,” Smith said to the Defender. “Find what you want to invest into and put your time into it because there are a lot of problems in the world and I feel with our position and status that we can help put things out and give things back.”
As this nation gets set to celebrate the birthday of civil rights icon Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., there is little that highlights his work more than volunteerism and giving back to the community. Athletes, who are admired by people across all spectrums, have been looked to for decades to give back to the communities they serve and grew up in.
Black athletes, in particular, have almost been expected to use their riches and platforms to give back to the communities that idolize them.
“I used to be that kid, looking up to people who played professional sports and people who are older. Just being here and putting a smile on their face means a lot to me.”
Jabari Smith Jr.
The Jabari Smith Jr. Foundation is just taking off. Much more to come. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/xG47QFaB1t
— JMac Nickerson (@SandyCreekHoops) July 29, 2023
We’ve seen some of the grand gestures made by top athletes like LeBron James, who sends kids to college, hosts an annual bike ride back in his hometown of Akron, Ohio and a few years ago opened a state-of-the-art college preparatory school for underprivileged kids where he grew up. But some, like Michael Jordan, have been quieter contributors to causes they feel strongly about.
Almost across the board, other athletes still give back in their own way, whether hosting a back-to-school backpack drive, cleaning up in the community after natural disasters, participating in toy and food drives during the holiday season or sending money to support various charities.
Locally, athletes like the Rockets Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Amen Thompson, Steven Adams and Smith, and Texans C.J. Stroud and Dameon Pierce are particularly visible in the community. The Rockets, Astros and Texans have been particularly active in putting their athletes and leaders out for various volunteer projects.
Many athletes feel it’s important to show those less fortunate that they care. Smith conducts charitable giving, such as back-to-back school backpack drops and toy giveaways, via his Jabari Smtih Jr. Foundation.
“That’s instilled in me. I’m a giver,” Smith said. “It’s hard for me to say no to anybody. That’s just who I am, that’s who my dad is, that’s who my family is. So that’s just what I try to do.”
The same can be said for new Prairie View football coach Tremaine Jackson, who stated early in his introductory press conference last week that his student-athletes along with everyone else involved in his program will get out and serve the community. It’s what the Houston native has done at his previous stops and looks to continue with the Panthers.
“We are going to get out in this community, whether it’s Waller County or Houston and if you need us to move, pick up something or help somebody that needs some help, because how dare we expect people to support us and we’ve done nothing to support them,” Jackson said to an audience of Prairie View supporters.
Jackson said in the past his athletes at Valdosta State helped with housing projects, clean yards and assist elderly. He plans to bring that sense of supporting the community to The Hill.
“We don’t want to just go to schools and do Hi-Five Fridays. That’s cool, but we feel like we can work a little bit,” Jackson said. “So we will find out who needs some help. Where is the widow who needs a little help?”
In Jackson’s mind, it’s the least that others who are more fortunate can do.
“I think it’s real important. How dare we want people to come to the game and they don’t even know who you are,” Jackson said to the Defender. “The way (to fix that) is to give something back to them, and when you give they will be giving back to you.
“Here is what I will tell you, it’s better to give than to receive. So we want to make sure we give ourselves and we give our time and give our program to the community.”
Smith, meanwhile, says he feels gratified when he knows he is making a difference in others’ lives.
“It makes me feel good. That’s how I was raised. I’ve always been someone who wanted to give back and give back to my community to people who need it.”
