By demonstrating hard work, patience, and dedication, athletes can have a positive influence on society. However, beyond inspiring people around the world, athletes can also significantly impact lives and change the world for the better through philanthropy.
For example, millions of young athletes look up to Kyrie Irving, a Duke University alumnus who worked his way from college basketball to the renowned National Basketball Association (NBA). In addition to creating a legacy for his alma mater through his illustrious basketball career, the current point guard for the Dallas Mavericks is also known for his philanthropic work throughout the years. Irving has regularly donated to charity, including efforts for the people of Flint, Michigan, the hunger relief organization Feeding America, and individual fundraisers organized on the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe.
Athletes can also do philanthropic work by participating in games and recreational activities, where they not only contribute financially but also show moral support and encourage other people to donate. In this case, poker has been an avenue for charitable efforts among athletes, as the high stakes, buy-in, and winnings can help raise funds for various causes and advocacies. Poker can also be scaled into a series of games or a tournament, thus allowing a great number of players to join and play for a cause.
Below are a few athletes who have confidently shown up to the poker tables to help those in need.
Steph Curry
Like his fellow NBA player Irving, Steph Curry has shown generosity and compassion through his charitable efforts. These include starting the Eat.Learn.Play. Foundation with his wife, Ayesha Curry, to promote children’s nutrition and well-being, and making a six-year financial commitment to support Howard University’s golf team. Additionally, the four-time NBA Champion has influenced his Golden State Warriors teammates, such as Draymond Green and Kevon Looney, to play poker not only as a team-building activity but also to support the Warriors Community Foundation.
Every year, the Warriors Community Foundation hosts a charity poker tournament at venues like the Chase Center and The St. Regis Hotel in San Francisco. Coaches and players compete against high-rollers who purchase expensive seats to help raise money for the Foundation’s annual grants program, which funds nonprofits dedicated to uplifting youth in Alameda and San Francisco Counties. In February 2025, the annual poker event was presented by MGM Rewards and raised a record-breaking $3.8 million.
Tom Brady
Credit: ACR Poker on YouTube
As one of the highest-paid players in the National Football League (NFL) history, Tom Brady has given back to communities and charity organizations. In 2015, the former NFL quarterback created the TB12 Foundation to empower young athletes by providing them with health resources and helping them prevent and recover from injury.
Given his passion for playing poker with friends, Brady joined the charity poker tournament organized by actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in 2020 to raise funds for Feeding America. The virtual competition, which was named All in For America’s Charity, was streamed on Twitch and run by America’s Card Room, a leading poker site that has previously hosted charity events for other organizations like Mount Sinai. The no-limit hold ’em tournament had a $10,000 buy-in and included other celebrities like Adam Sandler and Bryan Cranston, altogether raising over $1.75 million for hunger relief efforts.
Aaron Nola
.@Phillies starter Aaron Nola joined us on #MLBNHotStove this morning to discuss his new charity poker tournament to benefit @TeamRWB on May 15th! 🇺🇸
Learn more: https://t.co/7ea6zb5wv5 pic.twitter.com/9KeBlYMOG7
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 24, 2025
Credit: @MLBNetwork on X
Last on the list is Aaron Nola, a professional pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). Since Nola actively gives back to the community of veterans who served in the US military, he has decided to host a charity poker tournament to support Team Red, White, & Blue, a leading veteran services organization. The charity poker tournament, which will take place on May 15, 2025, at the Phillies’ CP Rankin Club in Citizens Bank Park, aims to raise more than $250,000 for Team RWB’s efforts, which include health and wellness services for veterans. Fans, veterans, and members of the Phillies organization can participate in the event and help make a lasting change in veterans’ lives.
The athletes mentioned above set a positive example for paying it forward and making a positive change, no matter how far you’ve come in your chosen sport. Continue reading GameDayChamp for more relevant articles about football, baseball, and other sports.