NEW YORK -- David Clowney has been all over the map this summer, working with charities from New Jersey to Haiti. Next stop: Ghana. And he's bringing new teammate and longtime friend Santonio Holmes with him. The New York Jets wide receivers will leave for the West African country Monday as part of a small group that will visit a children's hospital, schools and orphanages during the weeklong trip. They'll also set up a game in the capital city of Accra to teach children about American football. "We've got so many things that we're going to do while we're out there," Clowney told The Associated Press on Saturday. "It's going to be ridiculous. We'll do some sightseeing, too, and checking out the area itself, but for the most part, it will be about the kids. We're just going to try to help however we can." Unlock HQ Video HQ video delivered by Akamai Through donations to his David Clowney Foundation, the receiver is bringing about 250 pounds of children's clothing with him. He'll also donate $1,000 to each hospital the group visits. The group will arrive in Ghana on Tuesday morning and will return home the following Monday. Clowney, who had 14 catches and one touchdown last season, spent three days in Haiti in March as part of a missionary group that included teammates James Ihedigbo and Vernon Gholston and former cornerback Ahmad Carroll. They worked with members of Yele Haiti, musician Wyclef Jean's charity, to help with the relief and recovery efforts following the earthquake in January. Inspired by that trip, Clowney planned a visit to Ghana to help children there. "I'm super excited about it," he said. "Just thinking about all the work we got done in Haiti in just those three days, I think we're going to get an extreme amount of work done while trying to help the kids and families of Ghana." It's the last stop in a charity-filled offseason for Clowney, who also has held a camp and a celebrity basketball event in his home state of Florida and worked with teammates' events in cities such as Detroit and Birmingham, Ala. The Jets report for training camp Aug. 1. Clowney has known Holmes since the two competed against each other in track in high school. They both grew up in Florida's Palm Beach County and became NFL teammates in April when the Jets acquired Holmes in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Clowney's role with the team was clouded by Holmes' arrival, but the two aren't letting that get in the way of their friendship. Holmes is suspended the first four games of the season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, giving Clowney a chance to make an impact. "I've known Santonio since I was in 10th grade," Clowney said. "Him coming to New York was not the first time I was meeting him. We've always been good friends. With him in the picture now, of course these first four games, I'm going to have to do everything I can every time the ball comes my way. Even when he comes back, as long as we go to the Super Bowl and win, I'm going to be happy." Unlock HQ Video HQ video delivered by Akamai Clowney was pleased when Holmes told him he'd make the trip to Ghana with him. "I convinced him to come out and show a little love, and he made the choice to come and help me," Clowney said. "I really appreciate him doing that." Clowney, Holmes and a few other Jets teammates -- including wide receivers Jerricho Cotchery and Aundrae Allison, tight end Dustin Keller and fullback Tony Richardson -- also recently participated in a passing camp set up by Mark Sanchez in Southern California. It gave them a chance to solidify their bond with the second-year quarterback, who missed a good chunk of the offseason workouts while recovering from surgery on his left knee. "It was really good," Clowney said. "We ended up really getting a lot done." The camp -- dubbed "Jets West" -- ran from Monday and concluded Friday. It wasn't all work, though, for the players who paid their way to get there but were treated to some events by Sanchez. They attended the Major League Baseball All-Star Game and Home Run Derby in Anaheim, Calif., and the ESPY Awards ceremony in Los Angeles. The group also stayed at the lush Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach. "It was a nice little week for us," Clowney said. "Some of the guys brought their families. It was just a good opportunity for us to be close and stay together." http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000...ey-holmes-will-travel-to-ghana-to-assist-kids
Holla! In all seriousness, good for them. Especially Holmes--charity work like this is a great way to keep the guy out of trouble in the offseason.
Clowney really busts his tail off for charity... someone should explain to him that if he did the same with football he could become a decent football player! Also if he acquires more visibilty as a football player he'd be able to do much mor charity and people would follow him a lot more in his good deeds!
with S. Holmes......and "88 outta the gate" back.....Clowney may not make the roster.....very nice what he doing....but he has his own "cause" i mean $1000/hospital and 250lbs of clothes.....wouldnt a package with a nice card due???? you gotta fly there??? dont get it...itll be a week out from TC and theyll be fighting off dysentary.....WTF
Maybe he wants to see where his money is going. If he's having 1000s of dollars donated, I'm sure he wants to make sure it's put to good use. And why the fuck not? TC doesn't start for two weeks.. I'm sure spending a week doing something good won't make him any less prepared.
Wow I hope you guys are joking with your posts. In the Lebron James era, where these guys act like they are gods, its nice to see someone actually make the world a better place. Most guys that make 10 times more than David Clowney don't do half the stuff he does. I'm really proud of him, I hope he stays on this team. If Clowney is able to get Holmes' head out of his ass and helping charities...I hope the FO is smart enough to keep him.
It's interesting that this is being reported as Clowney's deal with Holmes tagging along. You'd think with Holmes being the big name he'd get the coverage. Wonder how that dynamic works.
Clowney is the one with his own charity foundation, so that's probably why. He's done this kind of stuff before.
Anyone who shits on Clowney and all of this charity work is pretty much a dick with nothing better to do...
I'd like to see the same level of commitment to his route running and overall game as he has to his charity work. It's not even a lock that he sticks with the team this season.
I'm guessing he does that too, it's just that a receiver practicing routes is not really breaking news. He just left the Jets West camp.
its a VERY caring great thing hes doing........when he gets cut ,, he can spend a whole lotta time with charity in Ghana
Why do you give a crap as to what he's doing during the offseason? These guys can't spend every waking minute running routes/working out. I've never read a report about this guy getting into trouble so things can be alot worse.
Clowney is one of those guys that SHOULD be running routes 24/7....because it's a glaring weakness in his game. But if he's not going to.....he's certainly making good use of his time with his charity work....I applaud him for that.
All I'm saying is that we don't know what he's done or not done in the offseason. Who knows, maybe he ran to the airport and dodged into/out of traffic, ala Frogger.
