National Football League

Team:       St. Louis Rams
Position:   Linebacker

Recent Plays

Host, Make A Wish Celebrity Server Dinner

Volunteer, Urban League St. Louis

Volunteer, Salvation Army St. Louis

Volunteer, Epilepsy Foundation of Greater St. Louis

Playing For:

St. Louis Rams' Community Outreach Efforts

How He's in the Game

When the Rams drafted James Laurinaitis, they knew the type of quality linebacker they were getting, but they had no idea he would become the most active contributor to their community outreach initiatives. During his first season, Laurinaitis donated more of his time than any other member of the team. Examples of his efforts include hosting the annual Celebrity Server Dinner for the Make-A-Wish Foundation which has raised over one million dollars over the past 15 years,  and visiting with fans during the “Taste of the NFL-St. Louis” that raised more than $500,000 for the St. Louis Area Foodbank and St. Louis Sports Commission. He also participated in the March of Dimes Golf Challenge that raised nearly $150,000 to provide care for local babies born prematurely. Aside from fundraising, he enjoys working directly with youth. He joined fellow teammates and hosted a PLAY 60 Challenge event for middle school students, teaching them the importance of being active everyday and focusing on their health and wellness. During the summer, Laurinaitis joined fellow players and coaches and built a playground at a local elementary school, designed to give the kids a safe environment to play.

About James Laurinaitis

As a reward for his talents, James Laurinaitis received both the Nagurski trophy and the Ronnie Lott trophy during his time at Ohio State University. After his stellar collegiate career, Laurinaitis was selected in the 2nd round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He earned a starting spot on the Ram’s roster during his rookie year and was an NFL All-Rookie selection.