BREAKING NEWS: Sam LaPorta Donates Entire $12.9 Million Bonus and Sponsorship Earnings to Homeless Shelter Initiative — Helps Fund 150 Housing Units and 300 Shelter Beds
Detroit, MI — In a heartwarming and bold act of generosity, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta has announced he is donating 100% of his $12.9 million signing bonus and sponsorship income to help fund a massive homeless housing and shelter initiative across Detroit.
“This city gave me a shot. Now I’m giving back,” LaPorta said. “No one should be sleeping on the street — not in our community, not anywhere.”
🏠 “The LaPorta Lift” Project: Dignity, Shelter, and Opportunity
Launched in partnership with local nonprofits and the city, “The LaPorta Lift” will build:
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150 permanent supportive housing units
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300 emergency beds for families and individuals
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A 24-hour health and mental wellness center
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Job training programs, especially for veterans and young adults
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A community space for meals, education, and reentry services
💬 NFL and Community Reaction
Support and admiration poured in across social media and NFL circles:
📣 “This is why Detroit loves its players — Sam LaPorta is more than a Lion, he’s a leader,” said head coach Dan Campbell.
📣 “$12.9 million to help the unhoused? That’s not just generous. That’s historic,” tweeted NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
📣 “This is the kind of legacy that goes beyond the game,” added ESPN analyst Marcus Spears.
💡 Sparked by a Winter Encounter
LaPorta shared that the idea came after handing out blankets last December and speaking with a woman who had lost her job and home:
“She told me, ‘Sometimes I don’t want a handout. I just want a door to knock on.’ That stuck with me.”
📊 Project at a Glance:
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Groundbreaking: Fall 2025
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Projected opening: Early 2027
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Location: East Detroit
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Operated in partnership with: Detroit Rescue Mission, Habitat for Humanity, and Hope’s Door Outreach
🕊️ From Gridiron to Giving
LaPorta, known for his grit on the field, said his mission off the field is just beginning:
“I’ll catch footballs for as long as I can. But my proudest catch? This one — helping catch people before they fall through the cracks.”
