Donovan Edwards + Tony the Tiger = An Unexpected Duo

Most college football fans know of Michigan’s winning status in the last year. However, many might not be keeping up with what the players have been doing in their off-season. 

While some Wolverines are taking it easy, running back Donovan Edwards stays busy contributing to his community.

The dynamic duo

This past April, Edwards, plus another very special guest at Springfield Middle School in Michigan gave away a huge gift.

Both Edwards and Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes mascot Tony the Tiger presented the community with a $50,000 check. The schools received the donation to provide children with extra access to sports.

“I think it’s huge to have someone so recognizable like Donovan Edwards here today. Especially, to have someone who looks like our kids. Our kids get to see someone like them achieve at such a high level and it can make them believe it’s possible for themselves,” said Battle Creek Central Athletic Director Lorin Granger. “My priority is to create programs at the younger levels for kids to make them feel they are part of something special and motivate them to do better in the classroom.”

Who made the donation?

The donation comes from Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes Mission Tiger. In 2019, Tony the Tiger founded the project after observing a lack of funding for numerous middle school sports. He then made a $1 million commitment to DonorsChoose, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting public school educators nationwide. The grocery delivery store company, Meijer, also participated in the donation.

Individuals can simply purchase a box of Frosted Flakes, send a photo of their receipt using MissionTiger.com, and $3 from their purchase goes to DonorsChoose. 

“Something like this shows our kids that there are people invested in them. You can’t win a soccer game without a soccer ball. Those things cost money and that’s what our partners are here to do today, to help us get the things that we need to build the programs that we don’t have. We struggle in some sports because our kids don’t play in those sports until high school. And the only way that we can, is if our kids can do those sports in middle school and that’s what this is about,” Battle Creek Enquirer reports.

Edwards’ appreciation

Edwards expressed his appreciation for his invitation to the event, noting his devotion to supporting the kids of the Michigan community.

“I’m blessed that Kellogg and Meijer invited me to be here and do this with them,” said Edwards. “This is something I have been doing while at Michigan, to try and reach out where I can, and be able to plant the seed of wisdom in these kids’ minds,” Edwards stated. “To be able to go out there and have my few moments in front of them and leave them with something that can help them in their lives and be well-rounded individuals.”

“To me, it’s still crazy to think about seeing these kids look up to me because we won a national championship. I have always been the one to be wide-eyed to other people and be inspired by others. So for me to be inspiring to others, to see them have those wide eyes when I come into the building, that’s a special feeling.”

Donovan’s collaboration with an organization that has already funded over one million children’s sports experiences speaks to the kind of person he truly is. 

Being that this isn’t Edwards’ first time uplifting young athletes, it will be interesting to see if he continues to do so throughout the 2024 season.

Victoria Jonach is an aspiring writer and media analyst fascinated by what kinds of activities players participate in off the football field. Growing up in New Jersey, she is a New York Giants fan and attends Rutgers University, pursuing a career in Journalism and Media Studies. She writes for FirstRoundMock.com covering anticipated draft picks and their acts of volunteerism, entrepreneurship, and other interests that shape these individuals.