Demarcus Lawrence
DALLAS COWBOYS
Demonstrates Excellence on the Field
Having an immediate need for an impact player at defensive end, the Cowboys packaged their original second (47th overall) and third round (78th overall) draft choices and moved up in the second round of the 2014
NFL Draft to select DeMarcus Lawrence with the 34th overall pick. Since joining the NFL, Lawrence has consistently shown excellence on the field through his leadership, dedication, and commitment to the game.
Despite dealing with injuries during his first season, Lawrence earned the starting nod in 2015 and lead the team with 8.0 sacks. Lawrence was named to his first career Pro Bowl in 2017 after tying second in the NFL with a career-best 14.5 sacks and team-leading 52 pressures, the most by a Cowboys defender in a single season since Charles Haley had 52 in 1994.
He earned his second Pro Bowl selection following the 2018 season. He is now a three-time Pro Bowler, one time Second Team All Pro, tied for the franchise lead in pressures in a single season, team leader in sacks three separate years, and much more.
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts this Year
In the past year, Lawrence has exhibited a strong commitment to community efforts in many ways – from donating his time and funds to support local nonprofits, to being present for youth and serving as a positive role model.
Lawrence spent Father’s Day at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, thanking dads in the medical facility for their dedication and support of their families.
To support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County, he participated in a celebrity bowling tournament, raising more than $100,000 to split between the Boys & Girls Club, Big Thought, CitySquare, and CEOC.
His financial contributions include support of Questlove Hip Hop Brunch for Creative Solutions Program, a
$7,500 donation through a WSS Shoe store grand opening event, raising nearly $20,000 at his annual Cars & Cause event, and $5,000 worth of outfits for students at South Oak Cliff High School in time for the holidays. He’s even donating $2,500 to the North Texas Food Bank for every sack he records this season with life insurance company Globe Life matching each donation dollar for dollar.
Lawrence's involvement with the Thriving Minds afterschool program has included donating clothing and shoes to the nonprofit. Additionally, he has dedicated his time to participate in the "Reading Makes You a Superhero" event, where he reads to youth. He has also worked with P&G Truckloads of Giving campaign, benefiting over 500 families with household products such as diapers, wipes, laundry detergent, and other personal hygiene products. Most recently, he joined Dak Prescott in presenting families from The Salvation Army and North Crowley High School with holiday gift and decoration bundles courtesy of Lowes.
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past
Lawrence has a long-standing commitment to the community with a track record of generosity and service. His Christian heart has seen him give to those in need as he has encountered homeless teens, single mothers, and others panhandling or in an obvious financial need. While on vacation in Mexico, he witnessed a woman selling wares on the sidewalk while also holding her young baby. Moved to help, Lawrence gave her all the money in his wallet and told her to take the day off and go home and rest with her baby.
Never one to stand by when others are in need, he has worked with sponsors and local businesses to provide clothes, laptops, audio equipment, and more to children from socio-economically depressed communities in North Texas. He also frequently speaks to local afterschool programs and nonprofit groups, providing youth motivation and encouraging them to be kind, work hard, and persevere through hardships.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Lawrence used his platform to assist essential workers in their businesses and in the community by hosting fundraisers and donating meals as part of the Dallas-area dine-in shutdown service program, providing free meals to first responders and their families.
Demonstrates Consistency in Positive Character and Models a Lifestyle of Giving Back
Since he first broke into the league in 2014, Lawrence has embodied positive character and a lifestyle of giving back. Lawrence is not only an exceptional athlete on the field but also an outstanding individual off the field, consistently demonstrating dedication, commitment, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the community and in the lives of those he touches. He consistently demonstrates empathy, compassion, and a commitment to the well-being of others.
He has provided private 1-on-1 pep talks to children in difficult situations, including those affected by domestic violence and the loss of a parent, reinforcing his saying “D-Law Does it for the Kids.” Lawrence’s efforts off the football field have translated to the person he is at home. He has taken the experiences and lessons learned from giving back to his communities and applied them to his personal life, becoming the ultimate father figure to his four children and wife, Sasha, as well as finding a relationship with Christ as he and Sasha have made it a priority to become heavily involved at their local church.