𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝑰 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒎𝒆; 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚.” – 𝑲𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒂𝒔 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒔 𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝑨𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑱𝒐𝒉𝒏𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒑𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒄 𝒈𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆, 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒖𝒑𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏, 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒔, 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅….

Kansas State QB Avery Johnson Pledges Entire Season’s Earnings to Charity: “It’s About Making a Positive Impact

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In a time when Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals are transforming the landscape of college athletics, Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson is using his platform in a way that transcends football. In a heartfelt announcement, Johnson revealed that he will be donating 100% of his earnings from the upcoming football season — including his salary, NIL sponsorships, and appearance fees — to local and national charities.

> “The money I earn this season isn’t just about me; it’s about making a positive impact on the community,” Johnson said.

In an era where athletes are increasingly being recognized for more than just their performance on the field, Johnson’s decision stands out as one of the most selfless and impactful gestures seen in college sports in recent memory.

A Bold Commitment

Avery Johnson, a standout dual-threat quarterback and a rising star in the Big 12 Conference, has already made headlines with his athleticism, leadership, and poise under pressure. However, with this move, he’s making it clear that his legacy will extend beyond the gridiron.

Johnson’s pledge includes not only the direct compensation he receives from the university through permissible means but also all NIL earnings from sponsorships, merchandise, public appearances, and social media promotions. This commitment could easily amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of the season.

According to sources close to Johnson, he has already been in contact with several nonprofit organizations and is working with financial advisors and legal counsel to ensure the donations are handled with transparency and accountability.

Where the Money Is Going

Johnson plans to distribute the donations across a variety of causes that are deeply personal to him:

Youth Education & Literacy Programs: A portion of the funds will go toward initiatives in underserved communities that focus on early childhood literacy, mentorship, and STEM education.

Mental Health Awareness: Johnson has spoken openly about the importance of mental well-being, especially for young athletes. Donations will support organizations that provide counseling and resources for high school and college students.

Community Sports Development: Johnson wants to give back to the world that gave him a platform. He’s investing in local athletic programs in Kansas, helping provide equipment, facilities, and scholarships for young athletes.

Emergency Relief & Housing: Funds will also support local shelters and emergency response programs, with a focus on helping families facing financial hardship or homelessness.

A full breakdown of beneficiaries and updates on disbursement will be shared publicly through a website Johnson is launching in partnership with Kansas State University’s athletic department.

Inspiration Behind the Move

While many were surprised by Johnson’s decision, those close to him say it’s consistent with his character.

“Avery’s always been grounded,” said Wildcats head coach Chris Klieman. “He understands the power of his platform, and he’s using it in the best way possible. He’s the kind of leader every coach hopes for — someone who’s just as committed to the community as he is to his team.”

Johnson credits his parents and his faith as central influences. “I’ve been blessed beyond measure,” he said. “Football has given me so much — scholarships, fans, sponsors — and I felt it was time to give something back in a way that’s meaningful. There are kids in our neighborhoods who don’t get the same opportunities I had. If I can help change that, even a little, that’s what I want to do.”

A New Kind of Role Model

Johnson’s gesture could mark the beginning of a broader trend, as athletes realize their ability to inspire and uplift beyond their sport. With the advent of NIL deals, college players now control a significant portion of their personal branding and income — and Johnson is showing how that control can be used for extraordinary good.

Fans, fellow athletes, and even public figures have flooded social media with praise. Kansas State’s official athletic accounts celebrated the announcement with a tribute video and the hashtag #PurposeOverProfit, which quickly began trending.

“It’s rare to see someone so young with such a clear sense of responsibility,” said sports commentator and former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III. “Avery Johnson is not just a football player — he’s a movement.”

Looking Ahead

As Johnson prepares to lead the Wildcats into what promises to be a pivotal season, his focus remains unwavering. Balancing game preparation, media obligations, academic responsibilities, and now philanthropy is no small feat. But Johnson isn’t just rising to the challenge — he’s redefining what it means to be a student-athlete in 2025.

> “When I step onto that field this fall, I’m not just playing for stats or trophies,” he said. “I’m playing for the kids in the classrooms, the families who need a break, the community that built me. That’s what drives me.”

With talent on the field and heart off of it, Avery Johnson is proving that true greatness isn’t just measured in touchdowns, but in the lives you touch along the way.

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