Football

Saints Linebacker Jonathan Vilma Opens School in Haiti

MIAMI, FL, USA (defend.ht) - As New Orleans Saints linebacker, Jonathan Vilma, works to get his year long suspension lifted by the NFL, his foundation has partnered up to establish a school enrolling 500 students from 7th to 9th grade.

The Saints linebacker visited the academy in April of this year and met students who now receive free education, uniforms, food, clean water and medical care throughout the school year.

The school called the Academy for Peace and Justice was made possible by a $50,000 grant the Jonathan Vilma Foundation made to Artists for Peace and Justice back in May 2011.

The Urban Daily caught up with the SuperBowl Champ at a charity golf tournament by DJ Irie in Miami.

In the interview, Vilma talks about the Jonathan Vilma Foundation and its school, as well as his new venture, opening up a Brother Jimmy's BBQ restaurant in his hometown of MIA.

Vilma's parents emigrated from Haiti to the United States, where he was born in Miami and went on to play football for the University of Miami.

He still has family members in Haiti where he is deeply committed to assisting in the long-term rebuilding efforts.