Minnesota's Winston DeLattiboudere up for award thanks to helping kids in Jamaica, local Hmong community
Minnesota defensive end Winston DeLattiboudere not only has a great last name.
He’s a great human being, too.
DeLattiboudere — in July — was one of 93 players named to the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy, given to the college football player who best serves his community. Why?
DeLattiboudere has family roots in Jamaica, and he decided he wanted to give back. The fifth-year senior is helping host a school-supply drive for fans to donate items during Minnesota’s open practice at 4:15 p.m. on Friday at the outdoor fields at the Athletes’ Village.
The supplies will then be gifted to the Rock Primary School in Jamaica, as well as the Hmong International Academy in Minneapolis, where DeLattiboudere has volunteered.
DeLattiboudere, during his time as a Golden Gopher, has gone and read books and played games with the local kids.
This acts of service by DeLattiboudere are awesome.
“Education is the biggest thing in a child’s life,” said DeLattiboudere, who has an undergraduate degree in sociology of law, criminology and deviance. “The more educated you are, the better equipped you are for anything that you want to go into. … I want to be able to affect kids way earlier than a lot of people look to affect them.”
Regarding the school-supply drive in particular:
“I was, like, I love these kids and would love to get them in the school supply drive (…) It’s going to be wonderful. I’m really excited.”
DeLattiboudere has played in each of the last 38 games for Minnesota the last three season.