Bears Recognize 2 Jacobs Football Players Who Started Nonprofit

ALGONQUIN, IL — Two Jacobs High School football players are being recognized by the Chicago Bears for the positive impact they've been making in the community.

Will Seibert and Dylan Christopherson were recently announced as winners of a Community High School All-Star award. The Chicago Bears and Athletic Physical Therapy are sponsoring the Community High School All-Star award, which recognizes nine high school football players from March through May who are making a positive impact in their community and school.

Seibert and Christopherson, both juniors, started a non-profit organization called Athletes 4 Athletes, which is dedicated to supplying young athletes with the necessary equipment to experience and succeed in youth sports.

Its mission is to support athletes and eliminate financial adversity by providing equipment, according to a news release from the Chicago Bears.

“I am just beyond excited and humbled to receive this award," Seibert said. "I wasn’t expecting any sort of recognition when co-founding Athletes 4 Athletes with my buddies, but now, I’m just looking forward to what the donation and award will do for so many kids' lives. I’m so grateful to the Bears for creating this award, and to Coach Z for nominating Dylan and me for it.“

Both Christopher and Seibert are on the Jacobs' varsity football program. They are also honor roll students. Seibert is the president of the student-athlete association, while Christopherson is part of a youth leadership group that helps guide freshmen throughout their first school year.

"When I first decided to co-found Athletes 4 Athletes with my friends, I didn’t do it with the intention of any recognition," Christopherson said. "It was simply to give back to my community. You could imagine my surprise when I found out that I received this award. I’m so incredibly grateful for this honor, and would like to thank the Bears for recognizing us. I can’t wait to see how much farther Athletes 4 Athletes grows in the future.”

Jacobs High School football coach Brian Zimmerman said Dylan and Will definitely deserve the recognition, according to the Chicago Bears news release.

"They are two of the most selfless individuals I know and are not the kind of kids who are looking to get recognition, but more about how they can help in the community," he said.

Each winner receives a custom hand-painted football, gift bag and invitation to a future Bears event. The Bears will also make a $500 donation to the charitable organization of the player’s choosing.

Seibert and Christopherson have selected Athletes 4 Athletes.