In an era dominated by billion-dollar TV contracts, multimillion-dollar NIL deals, and relentless brand-building, Arizona State Football star quarterback Sam Leavitt has made a stunning and selfless announcement. The 21-year-old QB, who is entering his most anticipated season yet with the Sun Devils, has confirmed that he will donate 100% of his season winnings and sponsorship earnings to charities and homeless relief organizations across the nation.
At a press conference held on the Tempe campus, Leavitt, flanked by his coach and family, addressed a stunned crowd of reporters. “I know how lucky I am to wear this jersey, to play this game,” he said. “But there are people in our communities fighting just to survive. If I can give away the perks of this platform to bring real change, then I have a responsibility to do it.”
Leavitt’s move has rocked the college football world. His NIL deals reportedly total over $650,000, including partnerships with energy drink brands, apparel companies, and a Phoenix-based healthcare startup. Every dollar, he confirmed, will be directed toward nonprofit programs supporting homeless youth, low-income families, food banks, and housing assistance programs in Arizona, Oregon, and nationwide.
This decision stands in stark contrast to the mindset seen in the NFL, where bonuses and guaranteed money dominate headlines. Consider this: Aaron Rodgers received a $57.5 million signing bonus in 2018. Patrick Mahomes landed a $10 million bonus as part of his record-breaking half-billion-dollar contract. Even rookies like Joe Burrow and Bryce Young earned signing bonuses of $23.9 million and $24.6 million, respectively—sums they understandably protect with iron-clad contracts.
But not everyone is wired like Sam Leavitt.
His closest comparison might be NFL legend Warrick Dunn, who quietly used millions of his NFL salary to fund down payments for single-parent homes. Yet Dunn did this deep into a decorated career. Leavitt is just getting started—and may have just jeopardized his own future earnings by proving he’s not playing for the money.
Supporters hail him as a trailblazer. Social media is ablaze with praise, with hashtags like #LeavittLegacy and #GiveLikeSam trending nationwide. Critics, however, worry this generosity could backfire. “What if he gets injured? What about his family’s future?” one ESPN analyst asked.
But Leavitt seems unmoved. “This isn’t about heroism. It’s about humanity,” he said simply. “If I’m remembered more for what I gave away than what I kept, I’m good with that.”
As Arizona State prepares for its most high-profile season in years, all eyes will be on Sam Leavitt—not just for what he does under the lights on Saturday, but for the way he’s already redefined what it means to be a star in American football. In the shadow of the NFL’s biggest bonuses, his donation might just be the richest act of all.
