2009 marks the beginning of Chris Draft’s 12th year in the National Football League.  A linebacker, currently with the Buffalo Bills, his career in the NFL also includes time on the rosters of the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and St. Louis Rams.

Named the Panthers’ Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2006, Chris served as the Carolina Panthers’ Youth Football Ambassador and the spokesperson for the Challenger Flag Football League.   At the close of the 2006 season, Chris served as the inspiration for an asthma awareness campaign that spanned the Charlotte Mecklenburg School system and the city of Charlotte with posters in schools and health care facilities, as well as billboards throughout the city.  The posters, which listed Chris Draft’s “Ten Tips for Tackling Asthma™” were complimented by public service announcements on local radio and television stations.

During 2006, Stanford University graduate Christopher Michael Draft established the Chris Draft Family Foundation with the mission of empowering families to live healthy lifestyles.

A proven leader both on and off the field, his philanthropic endeavors keep him busy throughout the year as he and his Foundation are actively involved in various community projects across the country.  The Foundation seeks to make a lasting, positive impact on children, families, and communities.  Using the inspiration and lessons learned while working with youth and families throughout his college and professional career, Chris Draft and the Chris Draft Family Foundation engage in community projects that support youth, families, schools, civic groups and health awareness organizations.  

Chris has been recognized by the NFL and community agencies for work in St. Louis and across the country.  In January 2008 he received the NFL Alumni Spirit Award, presented annually to “an individual who has shown a commitment to community service” that is consistent with the NFL Alumni mission of Caring for Kids. The NFL Alumni Spirit Award was presented during Super Bowl XLII at the Player of the Year Awards Dinner, sponsored by Cadillac.  In March 2008, Chris was formally recognized on the floor of the Georgia General Assembly with HR 1289 for outstanding contributions to young people, Georgia communities and the state.

In June 2008, for his extensive work in the St. Louis community, Chris was honored with an AT &T National Sportsmanship Award which celebrates athletes for their integrity, class, selflessness, kindness, community service and overall commitment to sportsmanship. The AT&T National Sportsmanship Award was presented by the St. Louis Sports Commission and the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance.

At the close of the 2007 season, Chris was nominated by his St. Louis Rams teammates for a JB Award, an honor bestowed on only a handful of active NFL players, for his commitment to achieve excellence off the field through building better communities and stronger families.

Selected from a group of 32 players representing each NFL team, Chris was one of twelve active players to receive a JB Award from the NFL Players Association and James Brown of CBS Sports.  The JB Award recognizes exemplary men of the NFL for leadership, dedication, and commitment to team and community.  As a winner of a 2008 JB Award, Chris was an automatic finalist for the Byron “Whizzer” White Award, an award named in honor of former NFL player and Supreme Court Justice Byron White.

During the 2007 season, he received proclamations from Mayor Slay and the City of St. Louis, Alderman Jeffery L. Boyd, 22nd Ward, St. Louis and the Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Commissioners for service to the community.