Calais Campbell thinks of others, even on his birthday

You only turn 26 once, so why not celebrate your birthday with a bang?

That’s what Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell decided to do on Monday (his birthday was actually on Saturday), having his bash at Fleming’s in Chandler, Ariz.

His celebration was a hybrid of sorts: it was a celebration mixed with a fundraiser, which benefitted Campbell’s organization, The CRC Foundation, which Campbell talks more in-depth about.

“It’s come a long way, it started almost two years ago now,” Campbell said. “We do a lot to help kids, we provide meals during holidays and try to interact with kids and try to help them learn different life skills, activities and ways to better themselves.”

Campbell’s sister and mother are also very active within the organization.

Campbell says they have some big goals coming up in the very near future, including opening up a development center, which will give kids a positive place to come to after school.

“We’ll have a mentoring program that’ll teach kids about furthering their education and going on to college, and figuring out what they want to do in college,” Campbell said.

Campbell said the foundation has already supplied their first college scholarship to a student that is attending Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Ga.

If you’ve ever met Campbell, you know he is as genuine a human being as you’ll ever meet in your life.

He really enjoys giving back to the community, and taking care of kids, because he knows if we take care of our young people, our future will be that much brighter.

“I’m very blessed to have the opportunity to experience great things,” Campbell said. “I really feel like there’s a lot of kids out there with potential that could be great people in this world.”

“That’s one of the best things in the world, putting a smile on a kid’s face.”

One of Campbell’s defensive teammates, linebacker Quentin Groves, was one of the celebrity servers at the party. He says he was honored to be a part of the festivities.

“Doing something for an old friend,” Groves said. “He does so much for other people, it’s kind of nice to give back to him. What do you give a man that has everything? Charity, friendship and camaraderie.”

Ken Whisenhunt has been Campbell’s only head coach since he’s been in Arizona.

Whisenhunt has seen Campbell’s growth over five years, not only as a player, but as a man.

“When you have a player that’s as good as Calais, that gives back the way he does, it really means a lot,” Whisenhunt said. “The support he gives to people in need, that’s what it’s all about.”