Bradley Bozeman
CAROLINA PANTHERS
| Position | College | Years in the NFL |
|---|---|---|
| Center | University of Alabama | 6 |
Demonstrates Excellence on the Field
Bradley Bozeman's impact on the Panthers was immediate. Since entering the starting lineup early last year, he helped transform the team into one of the strongest running games in the league last season. From the time he entered the lineup, the Panthers were fourth in the league in rushing yards and showed they could pass-protect as well. As the team's Center, Bozeman consistently provided stability in the middle for a team that started three different quarterbacks and changed coaches during the season. The offensive line played a huge role in achieving a franchise-record 320 rushing yards in a game against the Lions. The team also tied for third in fewest sacks allowed during his time as a starter.
This year, he's blocking for No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young, and the Panthers re-signed him this past offseason as part of the plan to protect the rookie quarterback with so much potential.
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts this Year
For a couple that spent the first part of their lives together living in an RV, Bozeman and his wife Nikki have embedded themselves in Charlotte and dedicated themselves to making the place where they're building a family and putting down roots a better place.
Their initial charitable efforts were centered around anti-bullying programs. Bozeman shared with elementary and middle school students that he was bullied for his size and speech impediment when he was younger and urged them to find the people they could lean on and create the kind of network of support they needed.
They established the Bradley and Nikki Bozeman Foundation in 2018 to expand on this work, but with the onset of COVID-19 in 2020, they were forced to pivot. Because a significant number of the students they worked with
were experiencing food insecurity, and their primary source of consistent meals was the school cafeteria, the disruption of regular school hours exacerbated an urgent issue.
Shortly after arriving with the Panthers last season, Bozeman immersed himself in the community and started building relationships with fans. He immediately began the SYNC snack program with community partners in his first two months in Carolina. The program (SYNC stands for Serving Your Neighbors and Communities) has packed over 17,000 boxes of food in the last year alone. They partner with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department on the program, with officers carrying the snack packs in their cruisers to distribute as they need to help children and also create bonds within the community.
In the last year, SYNC has expanded to the neighboring communities of Matthews and Mint Hill, as Bozeman and his family extend their charitable reach. "They're just a force," said Kay Carter, the CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank, "You can tell they're about family and about caring about the community. They're my favorite kind of people. They're down-home and they're kind, and they're compassionate, genuine in their initiatives. They really care about kids, especially."
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past
During their RV road trip in 2020, the Bozemans focused on holding anti-bullying assemblies in schools to help spread a message of support and inclusivity for vulnerable children. To date, Bradley and Nikki have shared their message with over 250,000 students.
Their anti-bullying work began when they were approached by a member of a school's community outreach team about a child being bullied. The Bozemans decided to go to the girl's school to eat lunch with her. When they arrived at the school, the principal asked if they could share the message with the entire student body. What was supposed to be lunch became a three-hour assembly, which included children sharing their stories of troubles at home and attempted suicides. They were so moved that they decided in the parking lot that day that it would become their lives' work.
When COVID kept them from continuing their in-person message, they pivoted to a program to provide supplemental food to children who relied on school lunches and breakfasts. They worked to distribute food boxes alongside Baltimore Police to help bridge the gap between the community and law enforcement. Creating that kind of bond between children and law enforcement served two purposes — feeding those in need and bridging a divide between local law enforcement and the communities they serve. Adding that human component to the assistance let the children of that area know there were people looking out for them.
Demonstrates Consistency in Positive Character and Models a Lifestyle of Giving Back
Bozeman and his wife continue to show that their work is not a one-off charity appearance, but rather a way of life. As their family has grown, with their young son Brody and a second child on the way, they're making it clear that giving back is simply a part of who they are as a family.
"Our work is nowhere close to being over. You know, Brody's going to grow up in this whether he likes it or not. I feel like we've set a pretty good example for him and are just going to continue to do that and continue to make sure that he knows what kind of impact you can have on people's lives and to start that ripple effect with them, for them to start a ripple effect on others. You know, that's what it's all about. And we just want to make the biggest impact we can."
Bozeman is a no-nonsense, direct kind of football player and by addressing the needs at the heart of his community, he's trying to solve widespread problems at the grassroots level.
