The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

MAVIN Saunders has been heralded for his community service efforts and has partnered with one organisation to continue those efforts as he prepares for the upcoming NFL Draft.

Saunders will join Uplifting Athletes to raise funds and awareness for Sickle Cell Anaemia during the Kansas Jayhawks Pro Day on March 27.

Saunders drew inspiration from another Bahamian football icon Devaughn Darling, who died of exertional sickling during mat drills at FSU in 2001. “As I take a step toward my NFL dream, I’d like to use this opportunity to give back. I have committed my performance at the Kansas Pro Day to support Uplifting Athletes and its mission to inspire the Rare Disease Community with hope through the power of sport in honour of Devaughn Darling who lost his life to Sickle Cell Anaemia after a workout in college,” Saunders said in a statement. “During my time as a student-athlete at Kansas and Florida State, I realised the platform athletes have to make a difference. It’s important to me to make the most of that opportunity and turn it into something positive. That is why I hope you will help me make a positive impact on the 30 million Americans affected by rare disease by supporting my campaign.”

Interested persons can pledge online at https://pledgeit.org/saunders-kansas. You can pledge for each vertical leap inch Saunders jumps at Pro day or make a one-time flat donation.

Uplifting Athletes is a non-profit organisation founded in 2007. Uplifting Athletes inspires the Rare Disease Community with hope through the power of sport. A rare disease is one that affects fewer than 200,000 Americans and typically lacks financial incentive to make and market new treatments.

Uplifting Athletes fulfills its mission through a unique network of college football student-athlete led chapters, Uplifting Ambassadors and Team UA participants. Since its inception, Uplifting Athletes has raised more than $4.5 million in support of the Rare Disease Community with a third of that, $1.5 million, given to fund rare disease research.

Its programmes includes rare disease research, uplifting leaders, rare disease awareness and uplifting experiences.

Last year at least 19 NFL teams were represented at the KU event.

Saunders’ preparation for the 2019 NFL Draft has taken him across the United States to bowl games and showcases as he looks to increase his stock at the professional level.

Saunders has participated in the College Gridiron Showcase Symposium and the SPIRAL Tropical Bowl.

Following his sessions at both events, he interviewed with the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, Tampa Bay and Buffalo.

The 6’6”, 258-pound tight end said he looks to make the most of each opportunity to showcase his skillset for NFL franchises.

The 2019 NFL Draft takes place April 25-27 in Nashville, Tennessee featuring 254 total selections in seven rounds.

Currently training in Houston, Texas, Saunders is confident he will have his NFL opportunity. “Those events were both a success. I’ve heard I’ll probably get picked up in a later round or signed as a free agent but all it takes is one team. A lot of teams are interested so I’ll get in, I just have to work to stay in.”