Philanthropy.
Philanthropist. Motivational Speaker, Burgeoning Entrepreneur and Trailblazing Rising National Football League star, David Vernon Jr. – “DJ” is a young man on an unrelenting mission. His dedication to pursuing excellence and raising the bar on the field as a Defensive Nose Tackle for the Houston Texans, only mirrors his resolve and commitment to making big plays off the field as well.
Once arriving in Houston Dj was on the ground running within the community performing service all over the city. Wade Smith “reading with the pros” was one of the first organizations he teamed with aiding past Texan Wade Smith. Dj visited several area schools and reading to classes and engaging with the students in Q&A’s
During the holidays Dj was an avid volunteer with the Clowney “Help in time foundation” assisting with the secret shopping with children in need. In 17-18 Dj partnered with Brothers Produce and the Ricky Davis foundation to feed the hungry In Houston! Together they provided over 150 needy families with food and fresh produce. While in Houston Dj and his family also partnered with the United Way of Greater Greensboro in which they hosted turkey drive feeding 250 people and a school supply drive in Greensboro helping over 250 kids with bags and supplies and also does reading programs around Houston for the betterment of child literacy!
After losing his father to kidney disease Dj became an advocate of the National Kidney Foundation! Dj Hosted Kidney walk in 2018 raised over 80k for kidney awareness in his first walk coupling the milestone with being the first athlete to visit the only children's kidney center in North Carolina! Partnered with area Sterling McCall Ford and kept his efforts rolling donating 10k on his behalf to the national kidney foundation to raise awareness about kidney disease.
DMI play 60 initiative is a program designed to get kids to get out and be active and Dj represents the Houston Texans as an advocate and spokesman for the DMI program. While advocating for increasing childhood physical activity Dj also joined forces with a group known as GAFY (Global Athletic Foundation for Youth) and traveled to the Bahamas in 2017 to participate in an island rehab in which he and former college athletes painted, rebuilt, and provided updated equipment to Rec facilities on the island so children have safe places to play!
Most recently Dj partnered with a female organization known as Power on Heels in which he donated 30 computers to help young graduating women in low income families on the way to college!
With Dj staying just as busy on the field as off the field, it hasn't gone unnoticed as the Houston Texans have nominated him as their 2019 representative for the Walter Payton Man of the Year.
