“Chance at giving back and helping them”: How Justin Herbert is helping other kids experience the youth sports program that changed his life

Before Justin Herbert became the Los Angeles Chargers' franchise quarterback, he was a young athlete growing up in Eugene, Oregon. He spent his childhood playing football, basketball, baseball and soccer through Kidsports. After many years, Herbert returned to support the organisation that gave him those opportunities. Through his charity golf invitational, he wants to make sure money does not stop other children from enjoying the same experience.His connection with Kidsports goes beyond a fundraising appearance. Herbert has made the organisation's work part of his efforts to give back to his hometown, helping local families afford youth sports and giving children a chance to build friendships through competition. How Justin Herbert turned his childhood experience with Kidsports into a missionHerbert first took steps to support Kidsports in 2021, when he announced the Justin Herbert Invitational at Shadow Hills Country Club. The inaugural tournament took place on July 8, 2021, with a fundraising target of $100,000. The event also brought together football personalities and local businesses, with the money going towards helping children participate in sports.Speaking to KMTR on April 9, 2021, Herbert explained why he wanted to bring the fundraiser to Eugene."Eugene's always been my home and I've loved that community and they've given me so much. If I have even the slightest chance at giving back and helping them, I'd love to do it," he said.His connection with the organisation was deeply personal. During a KMTR interview on July 8, 2021, he spoke about the opportunities he received as a child."Having gone through it for so many years, I know how great it is," Herbert said.He also explained how those experiences shaped him beyond sports."I think so much is learned through sports, stuff that you don't learn in the classroom," the Chargers quarterback said during the July 8 interview. "Teamwork and commitment and - just to have fun, and growing up and playing with your best friends, I don't think it gets much better than that."Herbert also made his intentions clear when discussing the money raised through the invitational."All of the money, all of the proceeds will go to making sure that every kid will have a chance to play," he told KMTR in its April 9, 2021 report.Justin Herbert returned in 2022 as Kidsports continued helping thousands of childrenThe fundraiser did not end with its inaugural edition. On July 7, 2022, Herbert returned to Eugene for the second annual Justin Herbert Invitational at Shadow Hills Country Club. The event continued supporting Kidsports and its efforts to make youth sports accessible to local families.During KMTR's July 7, 2022 report, executive director Bev Smith revealed that Kidsports had never turned a child away in her 12 years with the organisation. She explained that it provided scholarship assistance to around 4,000 children annually and raised approximately $250,000 each year to fund the programme.The money also helped the organisation bring free sports camps directly into local communities, so children from families with limited resources did not have to travel to participate.Herbert also remembered his own early football experiences during the 2022 event. He recalled winning flag football championships with his friends, including games played at Churchill High School.The quarterback admitted he never expected to reach the NFL when he was playing for Sheldon High School."No chance! I thought high school football was the biggest deal in the world and just playing for Sheldon, playing quarterback on the varsity team, that meant the world to me and I thought that was it," Herbert told KMTR on July 7, 2022.He also spoke about learning to handle setbacks through sports."I know you learn about losing and dealing with adversity and I think that's helped me off better in the long run," Herbert said during the same interview.From those childhood games in Eugene to becoming an NFL quarterback, Herbert has carried those lessons with him. His annual golf invitational gives him a way to support the organisation that helped shape those early years and help other children get their own chance to play.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.