NBA star Donovan Mitchell took a bold and compassionate step following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Deeply moved by the fact that Blake’s three young sons witnessed the traumatic incident, Mitchell committed to donating all proceeds from the release of his signature Adidas sneaker to support the children’s education.
Mitchell pledged up to $45,000 in royalties from sales of the “D.O.N. Issue #2 Spidey-Sense” sneaker, which was available for purchase during a 45-hour window. The time frame was a deliberate nod to Mitchell’s jersey number. During that period, 100 percent of his proceeds went directly into a college scholarship fund for Blake’s children.
In an important show of partnership, Adidas matched Mitchell’s contribution, bringing the total donation to $90,000.
In a public statement, Mitchell highlighted the deeper purpose behind the gesture. He emphasized the importance of long-term solutions, particularly in education, as a means of creating equity and dismantling systemic racism.
“Education reform is something I really believe in,” he said. “Allowing kids to be taught at a level playing field is, in my opinion, the key to generational success and pushing past systemic racism.”
This act of generosity came shortly after NBA players, including Mitchell, took part in a historic playoff boycott in protest of Blake’s shooting. The movement was a clear message from players that justice and change are more important than basketball.
Beyond this donation, Mitchell has remained active in community-focused initiatives. He has supported education programs, provided scholarships for minority students, and worked on initiatives to support underserved teachers. In early 2021, he was honored with the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for his contributions both on and off the court.
Donovan Mitchell’s response to the Jacob Blake tragedy is a powerful example of athlete activism. Rather than offering words alone, he provided meaningful, financial support to a family directly affected by violence, and he used his platform to push for real change.
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