Jack Youngblood - Charitable Activities

Charitable Activities

While at the University of Florida, Youngblood was involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes while also speaking to youth groups and raising funds for needy children—one such event was a 57-mile bicycle ride he organized which intended to send disadvantaged youth to a summer camp. Youngblood was involved in the 1974 NFL-USO tour to Vietnam and Southeast Asia. In 1977, Youngblood was the chairman of the Los Angeles-area "Right to Read" program and active in the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation. The same year, he was the United Way spokesman for the Rams and was the club's Man of the Year nominee in 1975 and 1983. In 1986 He participated the Hands Across America, an event to end hunger in the United States. Other NFL stars including Walter Payton and Tony Dorsett were also in the nation-wide hand-holding line. In his final 13 years (1979–1991) in Los Angeles, Youngblood sponsored a celebrity golf tournament for the John Tracy Clinic for Deaf Children, and was active with programs at the Children's Hospital for Orange County. He was named the Orange County "Sportsman of the Year" by the hospital in 1987.

Since 2001, Youngblood has been the St. Louis Rams' host for the Taste of the NFL charity event, a dinner held annually at the Super Bowl to raise funds for Feeding America-The Nation's Foodbank Network. In April, 2007, Youngblood was inducted into the National Football League Alumni Association’s prestigious Order of the Leather Helmet, which is the highest award for the NFL Alumni given to those “who make a lasting impression on the game”.

Throughout his NFL career and after Youngblood has been a skilled public speaker being sought after by corporate, athletic, and Christian groups due to his activity and success in those arenas. He also attends hunting, fishing and golf outings when associated with a good cause. He also is active in the Orlando chapter of Young Life, a nationwide organization whose goals include attempting to mentor young men and women in the Christian faith. Jack's wife, Barbara Youngblood, serves on the Executive Committee for Young Life for the Orlando Chapter.

Youngblood serves on the Honorary Advisory Board of the St. Louis Rams along with notables like Bill Cosby, August A. Busch III, Jonathan Winters, Dick Gephardt, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and Stan Musial, Maxine Waters, Dr. Toby Freedman, et al. Former members of the Rams Advisory Board, created in 1981, include, Lord David Westbury, former Ram and Evangelist Rosey Grier, Maureen Reagan, Henry Mancini, Bob Hope, Danny Thomas, Jane Upton Bell, former President Gerald Ford among others.

Youngblood is also involved in helping former NFL players in need by supporting the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund (GGAF). The Gridiron Greats sponsors golf tournaments, autograph signings, memorabilia auctions, clay pigeon shoots and dinners to raise funds for retired players.