Buccaneers TE O.J. Howard giving back with “Catches for Kids” campaign

Ever since he arrived in Tampa, Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard has been great on the field. He has also been great off the field, doing some awesome work in the community.

In 2019, Howard will blend his prowess on the field with his efforts off of it. He will be partnering with Pledge It, an online fundraising platform, to raise money for his Got Da Juice 1K Foundation. As part of a campaign called “Catches for Kids,” he will be donating $100 for every catch he makes during the upcoming season. Fans and supporters can get in on it too, donating online for every catch the 24-year-old makes.

The Got Da Juice 1K Foundation was founded in 2017 to “empower youth through sports and education.” The funds raised during the “Catches for Kids” campaign will be used to provide supplies needed for kids to succeed during the school year.

Howard had this to say about the foundation’s latest effort:

“As a child growing up in rural Alabama, I was not exposed to many of the mentorship, athletic and educational programs that are available in larger cities. As I got more involved with sports, my access to life changing programs and initiatives increased. I was able to engage in a number of opportunities that would enable me to succeed. I used this experience as inspiration for creating Got Da Juice 1K Foundation. It’s my personal mission for each child to experience life changing programs that will bridge sports with education. I’m excited to partner with Pledge It and launch my Catches for Kids campaign to give fans the opportunity to join me.

Howard said during his Tuesday media availability that the goal is to raise $10,000. Last year, he caught 34 passes in 10 games. Even with an increase in receptions this year, the young tight end will need the help of fans and supporters. This is a fantastic cause, so it shouldn’t be hard for big No. 80 — with the help of his and the Buccaneers’ fans — to hit that goal.

Howard said he will give incentives to those who pledge, “including a signed jersey, an office lunch with OJ and the chance to win a personal tour of the AdventHealth Training Center.”

That’s all pretty cool stuff, but it can’t compare to the difference that Howard, the Got Da Juice 1K Foundation and you can make in the lives of kids with this effort.

To donate money for every O.J. Howard reception in the 2019 season, you can visit pledgeit.org/ojhoward. Corporate donors can pledge at pledgeit.org/ojhoward@corporatelink.

Good on you, O.J. Howard. Thank you for making the world a better place.