The second-highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, the Washington Redskins’ Josh Norman seeks to put his earnings to good use, bringing his foundation Starz24 to the city. We caught up with him at his charity event on Tuesday, June 13, at Hawthorne on U Street to find out what he has planned for the kids of the District.
Why did you decide to do a foundation here in D.C.?
Because this is where I’m at. I did one in Charlotte too, I had a celebrity basketball game there for like two years. I was doing some stuff down there, went out and talked to some people and informed them about Starz24. But ever since I came up to Washington, D.C. plans changed and I want to do something for whatever community I’m in.
What do you have planned for the young men in the foundation?
We want them to have physical, active play. I want to show them that they can do it too. That they can strive for greatness just as I have. I think books is huge and it’s important. You know being a tutor and mentor to them letting them know they can do it and just pushing forward with whatever they need. I’m geared to ages 8-16 but, hey, if you want to come into the program, we can help you out in any kind of way. We just know that whatever we can do for kids we want to do it and push them towards their dream. Let them know they can do whatever they want.
Are you looking forward to infiltrating the social and philanthropic scene here in D.C.?
Absolutely. What I’m doing right now is getting on the scene and letting them know that okay we are here. We want to do something in our community so letting everybody know that we need their help is important, but if not we will do it for ourselves. We’re doing this for the kids, to help them and give back as much as we possibly can.
What do you like about D.C.?
Actually I’m in Ashburn, [Virginia,] so it’s a bit different, but things are in D.C. like the inner city youth that we want to target. They need it the most. We have to let them know we really care and we’re here. I want to give them something to do when they get out of school, because crime happens between the time of getting out of school and going to sleep. The time gap is huge. So if we can give them something to focus on something to do like being active during that time. We will save a lot more lives.