Chris Draft
Team Captain
When the game is over and the stadium lights are turned off, Chris Draft, linebacker for the Buffalo Bills, suits up to play the positions of community activist and founder of the Chris Draft Family Foundation (CDFF).
Chris strives to make a positive impact part of his legacy as he leads by example on and off the field.
He established his Atlanta based Foundation in 2006 with the vision of empowering families to live healthy lifestyles. The Foundation’s seven initiatives are Asthma Team™, Character Team™, Draft Picks™, Get Checked and Get Fit™, Literacy Leaders™, Community Improvement, and Military Appreciation.
Having the opportunity to make a positive impact is a privilege and responsibility that Chris takes seriously. His passion for making a difference began with the strong values and ethics he and his brother learned from their parents Rose and Tony Draft. Those characteristics were instrumental in his success at Stanford University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics while becoming a four-year letter winner on the Cardinal football team and a two year member of the Cardinal baseball team.
Chris, who suffers from asthma, is the National Spokesman for the National Lieutenant Governor’s Association’s “Winning with Asthma” program and is involved in national campaigns with the Environmental Protection Agency, the American Lung Association and the NFL Players Association. He also serves as the National Ambassador for the Parent Teacher Association, an official champion of the Alliance For a Healthier Generation, and the regional spokesman of the Midwest Dairy Association. Draft served on the Board of Advisors for the Atlanta NFL Youth Education Town (NFL/YET) Boys and Girls Club for three years and remains involved as a member of the Friends of the NFL/YET.
The 12 year veteran of the NFL has received many awards and honors, including his selection as Man of the Year by both the St. Louis Rams and the Carolina Panthers and two time finalist for the prestigious Byron “Whizzer” White Award recognizing outstanding community service. Civic awards include the 2008 President’s Call to Service Award, recognition from the Georgia General Assembly with House Resolution 1289 for outstanding contributions to young people, Georgia communities and the state, recognition from the Mecklenburg (NC) Board of County Commissioners, and from several agencies for his community outreach in the St. Louis area. In addition to numerous accolades, “Do You Want to Play Catch?” marks Chris Draft’s 2009 debut as an author.