Utah’s Ford, BYU’s Fauatea Team Up To Help Community
Nov 21, 2021, 6:52 PM
Offensive lineman Nick Ford #55 of the Utah Utes walks on the field during warm-ups to the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on November 13, 2021 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah football’s Nick Ford and BYU’s Lorenzo Fauatea put the rivalry aside to team up in an effort to help the community.
The Ute and Cougar are coming together in an effort to help foster families in the state of Utah.
“The Utes and the Cougs go purple! @NickFord55 and @ZFauatea are coming together to support Utah’s foster families.” Utah Foster Care tweeted. “#FosterCare is about community, and ours knows how to show up. Help make Sunday Supper on Dec. 12th possible.
The Utes and the Cougs go purple! ❤️+💙=💜 @NickFord55 and @ZFauatea are coming together to support Utah's foster families. ️#FosterCare is about community, and ours knows how to show up. Help make Sunday Supper on Dec. 12th possible. https://t.co/cQOfD8CRKM pic.twitter.com/zmN1Kc0K7T
— Utah Foster Care (@UtahFosterCare) November 21, 2021
“I just want to make good food for good people,” Ford said.
Those interested in helping Ford and Fauatea’s cause can donate to the Sunday Supper campaign for December 12.*
Nick Ford’s Efforts to Help the Community
Earlier this season, Ford and fellow Utah standout Solomon Enis teamed up with Corner Canyon High School football and the Athletes Strong Foundation to bring “Sunday Dinner” to Foster Care families.
Athletes Strong was founded by former Utah LB Stevenson Sylvester that has former collegiate and professional athletes working with current college athletes, who also work with high school athletes.
According to a Utah Foster Care representative that spoke to KSL Sports, the idea started with Ford wanting to create a Sunday dinner, something that he experienced growing up.
“We wanted to start that here, there wasn’t anything here,” said Ford. “Figured it would be cool. I love cooking and there is a lot of people in need and I love giving back to the community, so I just took the opportunity to go out and cook and give some good people some good food. I feel like football is a platform to get in this position because when you play football, nothing is nice about it at all. When I come over here, it gives me time to relax and give back.”
Got to spend some time with @NickFord55 @SolomonEnis of @Utah_Football , as well as players from @CCHSFOOTBALL_ ~ a cool story on giving back to our community in a special way.
Learn more at https://t.co/DF30T27jAT @UtahFosterCare #GoUtes @kslsports
🎥 @andymunoz48 pic.twitter.com/YsHxbaQI7j— Andy Muñoz (@andymunoz48) October 4, 2021
Wide receiver Solomon Enis decided to spend his off day with Ford, giving back to the Utah community.
“Monday through Saturday I have my football hat on,” said Enis. “So, when it’s the weekend or I have a day off, my football hat comes off. Doing events like this only shows you what football can provide. I am grateful to use my platform and grateful to be here. It’s important to show your face out in the community. Especially being a football player, people think you are a superhero but I feel like anyone can do it if you put your heart and soul into it and you work your tail off.”
Corner Canyon football is on the brink of breaking the state record for the longest winning streak in Utah history but that hasn’t stopped coach Eric Kjar from getting his players and program involved in giving back to the community.
“Just those kids knowing that there are people out there that care about them and love them,” said Kjar. “I think it goes a long way for those kids, for sure. I think it touches our kids to be able to serve them too. It’s awesome, it’s just a great deal.”
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com, Co-Host of Faith, Family and Football podcast with Clark Phillips III and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports.
