Crimson Red Sports

FOLEY, Alabama - Like many of his counterparts, Julio Jones spent the NFL lockout trying to stay in shape and wondering if he'd get to play in the fall. But he also made time to give something back to his hometown.

The former Foley and Alabama standout had a deal put into his endorsement contract with Under Armour that gives $25,000 in product each year for four years to the Foley High football team and the youth football teams in Foley and Elberta.

FHS outfitted its players with jackets, while each youth player received a tight-fit T-shirt, loose-fit T-shirt and backpack.

"It shows what kind of class and character he has," said Foley coach Todd Watson, who coached Jones for three years. "A guy that came out of this community and is proud of where he came from. He wants to give back and you don't find a lot of those these days."

Watson found out about the deal in the early summer.

"The timing of it kind of shocked me," he said. "He did this before he ever signed a contract (with Atlanta). They were still in a lockout, so he wasn't guaranteed anything. But still, as soon as he had something he felt like he could give back, he did. That's above and beyond the call of duty.

"It was just a pleasant surprise, something we weren't expecting. But it didn't surprise me, knowing him, his character and where his heart is."

Watson said the team chose jackets since most of the Lions apparel for the season had already arrived.  "If we travel and it gets cold, everybody can have something to wear and be proud of their school, their community and what they're representing," he said. ...

My eldest son is a Foley High Grad. What a great thing by JJ. But he gets a $25K write off. Under Armour gets a write off too, probably, depending on the mechanics of this contract provision. Still great, except they (Foley High) could've used the $ to buy necessary equipment instead of frills.

 :lol: It sounds like JJ asked for the provision to his contract with Under Armour.  So Under Armour merely complied.  It's not clear what "sports gear" was specified. 

Would you give $25,000 in cash to a high-school coach for spending at his discretion?  LOL.

Write off?  That's what businesses do.

:eyeroll: Not in the mood for this, this morning, but here goes. Julio got a tax deduction, Under Armour may have gotten one too. "Write off" is a slang term. I would imagine JJ sent a link or maybe a catalogue sent to the coach for him to pick out merchandise. No one said anything about sending anyone 25K. But if they had spent the $ on, say helmets, it would have meant less $ the taxpayers would have to pay.