It seems all the men in my life are obsessed with football—specifically college football. Once September rolls around it is not easy to find a male relative who is willing to do much more than flip between several “key games.” Needless to say, I have picked up a thing or two about the sport, including becoming familiar with some of the game’s most popular players.
I had heard the name Alex Mercier before. He is currently a wide receiver who plays for the Washington Huskies. What I didn’t know about the college co-ed is that when he’s not playing football, he’s making music… and in the process giving some seriously ill children and their parents a much-needed boost.
Mercier recently recorded a compact disc called “Husky Nation,” which went on sale at the team’s home opener. But, instead of pocketing the money to spend on clothes, jewelry or a new vehicle, Mercier donated all proceeds from the sales of his $7 disc to Soulumination, a Seattle-based nonprofit organization that provides free, professional photography of children facing life-threatening illnesses.
“Football during the day. This at night,” Mercier recently told reporters.
Mercier says he was touched by the story of Soulumination when the project’s creator (professional photographer Lynette Johnson who came up with the idea after her niece was stillborn) visited his high school.
“Lynette told me that of the 50-some shoots she did last year, about 30 of the kids didn’t make it through the year,” Mercier said in a recent interview. The college football player/rapper said the sad statistic stuck with him even after he and his teammates recorded the rap song, “Husky Nation.” Mercier said he thought of turning the song into an album. But NCAA rules prohibit him from profiting off any sale. So instead he thought of Johnson and Soulumination, then consulted with the Pac-10… hence the recent CD sale.
Mercier says he is glad that he is able to help parents (most of whom never get to leave the hospital with their child). “When you meet the parents, you realize this is pretty important. You realize the severity of the situation,” Mercier said. “Being in college, being a football player, you are using to being young, having fun, basically thinking of yourself,” he added. “You don’t think about death, having kids, living a real life.”
My hat is off to Mercier and his teammates. It’s not everyday that you get to read or hear about a college football player who is making headlines for trying to bring happiness to families who desperately need it.
To learn more about Soulumination and the families experiencing the pain of dealing with a terminally ill child click here.