The NFL Could Save Lives
I, like or unlike many of you, have been attempting to follow the NFL lockout, trying to understand why a bunch of guys who make millions of dollars are arguing about money. I’m not just talking about the players, but the owners as well. We have grown men who are making more money in a single day than most people will make in an entire year, and yet they are complaining because they can’t agree on the right numbers.
Let’s look at the numbers that matter.
Did you know that every 45 seconds a child in Africa dies from Malaria, making it the leading cause of death amongst African children? Did you know that Malaria is preventable with the purchase of a $10 net? If you take the average salary of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010, one can purchase 200,000 mosquito nets, with just one player’s salary. 200,000 kids can survive this year.
Did you know that nearly 5000 children die every day from water borne diseases? Did you know that 42% of the world lives without adequate drinking water? If you take 10 percent of the New York Giant’s payroll in 2010, one could purchase 553 clean water systems from Water Missions International, providing clean drinking water to over 2 million people every day, which is more people than Belize, Iceland, and Trinidad & Tobago
have combined.
I get it. I understand that people need to make money. I understand these players are some of the most gifted athletes in the entire world and there are only a handful of people who can do what they do. I understand that these owners are some of the most savvy business men and they have been able to get where they are because of their business skills. I understand that the entire lockout has not been about money, but much of it has. I get all that.
What I don’t get is why they are fighting over millions of dollars that could be used to transform communities and save lives. What I don’t get is why the world is so mesmerized by a group of men who can’t agree on how much is enough, while the rest of the world is wondering can I ever get enough…enough mosquito nets, enough clean drinking water, enough hope.
Will things ever change? Maybe during the next lockout.
For more information on how to get involved, check out these
organizations that are making a difference….
Bread of Life Mission – www.breadoflifeafrica.com
Nothing But Nets – www.nothingbutnets.net
Water Missions International – www.watermissions.org