Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer at USC (Google Images)

What do you think of today’s NFL players? Greedy? Unsportsmanlike? While there are a few players who live up to this description, there are even more who are just the opposite. Carson Palmer is one of those players. He contributes to the community by having his own charity organization; he also demonstrates great leadership on and off the football field.

Carson Palmer is an NFL quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals. He was born in Laguna Hills, California on December 27th, 1979. During his senior year of high school, he led his team to a consecutive state championship and had 31 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. He was recruited by USC, where he went to school and was the starting quarterback for 4 years. In 2002, his senior year of college, Palmer won the coveted Heisman Trophy, which is given to the best player in the nation, along with many other awards including the Johny Unitas award given to the best senior QB in the nation, and being an All-American.

Carson Palmer playing for the Cincinnati Bengals (Google Images)

In the 2003 NFL draft, he was the first overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals. During his rookie year, he did not take a single snap during the regular season. The Bengals went 8-8 that year. During the off-season, Marvin Lewis, the Bengals' head coach, gave Palmer the starting quarterback position over Jon Kitna, who had won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year Award the season before. In 2004, Palmer played 13 games before suffering a broken ankle against the Patriots. During the span of those 13 games, he had 18 touchdowns, 18 interceptions, with a 60.9 completion rating and 2,897 passing yards. So far this season, he is the best quarterback in the National Football League with 6 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

Right now, he is currently working on making his own charity fund called the Carson Palmer Organization. While that is being done, he is in the NFL’s Read to Children Program and he gives money to underprivileged kids.

Carson Palmer calling a play (Google Images)

Carson Palmer is a "hero within." Even though he has all the fame and fortune, he still finds a way to give back to the community because he is so thankful for the success he’s had. He’s also a great role model for kids.

As one can see, Carson Palmer is a great football player, but also a greater person. He demonstrates the ways all NFL quarterbacks should act as the leader for their team.