Mislabeled Super Bowl Championship Gear to Go to Impoverished

By By Audrey Barrick
super-bowl.jpg
Fans pose for photographs near the NFL Super Bowl Experience during a winter storm, Friday, Feb. 4, 2011, in Dallas. The Green Bay Packers face the Pittsburgh Steelers in NFL football's Super Bowl XLV on Sunday, in Arlington, Texas. AP Images / Matt Slocum

Sunday's Steelers vs. Packers game is expected to break the record of the most viewers in U.S. television history.

But as millions of Americans anticipate watching the Super Bowl game, taking place tonight in North Texas, people in Africa and Latin America are anticipating the game's end.

That's because the losing team's pre-printed championship clothing will be donated to Zambia, Armenia, Nicaragua and Romania.

The National Football League is continuing its more than 15-year partnership with World Vision to put the multimillion dollar merchandise, that would otherwise be thrown out, to good use.

And for a lot of the recipients, this would be their first time having brand new clothing, according to David Krichavsky, NFL Director of Community Affairs.

Jeff Fields, World Vision's senior director for corporate relations, said in a statement, "This is a great opportunity to show people that they are cared for and that their wellbeing is a priority.

"Having personally distributed the Super Bowl gear overseas in years past, I have seen how much joy the children and families get out of receiving new clothes."

Some of the countries that have received mislabeled championship clothing from the Super Bowl include El Salvador, Indonesia and Haiti.

"World Vision is incredibly thankful the NFL is working with us to help others around the world," Fields commented. "We work in the most impoverished areas of nearly 100 countries, so we already have all the systems in place to identify families and distribute these brand new clothes to them."

The NFL isn't the only philanthropic organization. Reebok, Sports Authority, Dick's and Modell's are also among companies that donate the losing team's apparel, which are typically stocked in anticipation of either team winning the big game.

The items will be shipped from the host city to World Vision's international distribution center in Pittsburgh and then sent overseas.

World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization, has also partnered with the AFC and NFC in similar ways.

The Pittsburgh Steelers face off against the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV at 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories