Myles Garrett, a defensive player for the Cleveland Browns, generously donated $25,000 to Hampton University. According to HBCU Gameday, the player made the donation after hosting a panel at the Virginia school.
The football player was in Hampton with Brandon Martin, CEO of Johnson Energy Storage, for a panel discussion on the value of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). Garrett made an investment in Johnson Energy Storage in September 2024. They also touched on the advantages of students pursuing other academic interests besides sports.
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Garrett feels a special connection to the institution. His mother, Audrey, was a student-athlete at Hampton University during her time as a college student, according to Black Enterprise.
Garrett’s mother received a track scholarship to Hampton and was named an All-American during her time there. She is a PhD candidate in strategic leadership, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and currently a member of the Southern University Law Center.
Garrett accepted a contract extension in March to continue with the Browns until 2030 after publicly asking for a trade in February following a disastrous season in which the team finished 3-14.
According to ESPN, his deal would bring in an average of $40 million annually. Garrett is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history with $123.5 million in guaranteed money.
Before entering the 2017 NFL Draft, Garrett was a unanimous All-American as a senior at Texas A&M University.
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Garrett was selected by the Browns as the first overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and has spent eight seasons with the team. The six-time Pro Bowler was a finalist for the 2022 and 2024 Defensive Player of the Year awards and won the 2023 title.
Despite the Browns’ poor season, he was a source of inspiration for the team. He recorded 100 career sacks in 2024, making him the 45th player in NFL history since 1982 to do so. Garrett was also the only player to do so before turning 29, and he was the fourth-fastest player to do so in his 115th game.
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