BREAKING NEWS: Detroit Lions Star David Montgomery and Girlfriend Tatum Causey Donate $1 Million to Southern California Children’s Hospital That Saved His Life as a Child

Los Angeles, CA — In a moving display of gratitude and purpose, Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery and his girlfriend, Tatum Causey, have donated $1 million to a Southern California children’s hospital that once played a life-saving role in Montgomery’s early years. The gift, announced in an emotional ceremony on Wednesday, will help expand pediatric care and provide vital support for children and families facing medical crises.

This contribution marks one of the most personal and impactful moments of Montgomery’s off-field life, as the NFL star returns to the hospital where he spent weeks battling a critical illness as a young boy.

A Childhood Fight That Shaped a Champion

Long before Montgomery was a star in the NFL, breaking tackles and scoring touchdowns for the Detroit Lions, he was a sick child in a hospital bed, struggling to survive. At just four years old, Montgomery was admitted to a Southern California hospital with a severe respiratory illness that required intensive care and constant monitoring.

“My mom told me that she didn’t know if I was going to make it,” Montgomery recalled during the hospital press event. “I was too young to understand how serious it was, but I know now that without this place, I wouldn’t be here.”

The emotional weight of returning to the hospital as an adult, with his partner Tatum by his side, was evident. “This is the place that gave me life. And now, I want to help give that gift to someone else,” he said.

A $1 Million Gift With Heart

The donation made by David Montgomery and Tatum Causey will directly support several key areas of the hospital’s mission, including:

• Expansion of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)

• Upgrades to life-support and respiratory care equipment

• Creation of a family support fund for housing, meals, and mental health services

• New programs focused on childhood trauma recovery and holistic care

Hospital officials say the donation will make an immediate and lasting impact on the care they’re able to provide.

“This is more than just a financial contribution—it’s a gift of hope,” said Dr. Jennifer Morales, Chief Medical Officer at the hospital. “David’s story, his survival, and now his return as a successful athlete and generous donor, is a full-circle moment for all of us.”

Tatum Causey: A Voice for Children and Families

Tatum Causey, Montgomery’s longtime girlfriend and a passionate advocate for children’s wellness, played an instrumental role in shaping the focus of the donation.

“As a partner and a mother, this cause is close to my heart,” Tatum shared. “We wanted this gift to help not just the sick kids, but the parents, the siblings, the entire family unit. When a child is in the hospital, the whole world stops for that family. We want to help carry some of that burden.”

Tatum added that she was deeply moved when David first brought her to visit the hospital’s pediatric wing. “I saw where he had been—and what he overcame. It was powerful. We both knew we had to give back.”

From Underdog to Hero

David Montgomery’s journey has never been easy. Raised in challenging circumstances and often overlooked during his early football career, he has consistently defied the odds—both in life and in sports. Now a key player for the Detroit Lions, he’s known for his work ethic, resilience, and quiet leadership.

This donation further cements Montgomery’s legacy as a man of purpose beyond football. His gift stands not only as a tribute to the care he received but as a symbol of the strength that comes from remembering where you started.

“I’ve been blessed with so much,” Montgomery said. “This is just one way to give some of that back.”

A Message of Hope

As part of the event, Montgomery and Tatum visited several patients in the pediatric ward, handing out Lions gear, stuffed animals, and words of encouragement.

One moment stood out: Montgomery knelt beside a young boy recovering from surgery and said softly, “You’re stronger than you know. I was right here once. And look at me now.”

Conclusion: A Gift That Will Live On

As the Detroit Lions prepare for a highly anticipated 2025 season, David Montgomery is already winning off the field—with a gift that will save lives, ease burdens, and inspire hope.

“This hospital gave me a second chance at life,” Montgomery said. “Now, it’s our turn to help give that chance to someone else.”