New Orleans Saints head coach, Sean Peyton, bought 100 jerseys of Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Devon Still earlier this week to support pediatric cancer research.
The Bengals announced Monday all proceeds of from the sales of Still’s jersey will go to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and pediatric cancer research.
The jerseys cost $100 each, making Peyton’s total donation $100,000, reports NOLA.com.
Still, a Delaware native, initially announced in June he would not return to the Cincinnati so he could remain with his 4-year-old daughter, Leah,
who was diagnosed with nueroblastoma and would receive treatment at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
NFL player’s daughter battling stage 4 cancer
The organization told ESPN they sold more No. 75 jerseys within the first 24-hours than any other jersey in that time frame in franchise history.
Still originally signed to the practice squad because he couldn’t fully concentrate on football and he would be able to see Leah more frequently. By signing with the team, he was also able to keep his health insurance to help with Leah’s treatment. She has been getting chemotherapy treatments at CHOP since June, reports NBC Philadelphia.
His agent announced Tuesday that he was moved to the 53-man active roster.
In a statement to ESPN, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said:
We think Devon is ready to rejoin our line rotation and be productive. It already was stated that a big reason Devon opened on the practice squad was that he couldn’t fully focus on football this preseason. He had to take care of his daughter. But Devon has told us he feels ready to contribute now, so it’s the right move at the right time. And we’ve told Devon he can still be afforded the personal time he needs to attend to his daughter’s care.
Help sack cancer with a @Dev_Still71 jersey. Proceeds go to benefit @CincyChildrens. More: http://t.co/kOuwYDKmCN pic.twitter.com/PmhP5F5o7g
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 9, 2014
Wow!! The support from you all is amazing. From the bottom of my heart I thank everyone! This will… http://t.co/wcKqmIbMwG
— Devon Still (@devonjstill) September 9, 2014
Big thanks for to the saints for ordering jerseys to help support pediatric cancer..only one word to describe everything, AMAZING!!
— Devon Still (@devonjstill) September 10, 2014
Just walked into #Bengals pro shop. Phones ringing off hook. And NOW this: #Saints just ordered 100 Devon Still jerseys. #NFL
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) September 10, 2014
Still jerseys can be purchased directly from the Bengals’ website.
The defensive tackle also started a Pldgit campaign in which people can pledge to donate a certain amount for every sack the Bengals have this coming season.
Follow Carrie Healey on Twitter @CarrieHeals.