The Falcoholic
An in-depth look at how one man’s football journey can impact thousands of lives across the globe.
In his Players Tribune article, released two days after the Atlanta Falcons defeated the then-Oakland Raiders during that magical 2016 season, Mohamed Sanu recounted his incredible journey to the NFL. Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Sanu spent part of his childhood in Sierra Leone, his family’s homeland.
While he was only there until he was six, Sanu feels a sense of responsibility to give back to the country that helped shape the person who made one of the more profound impacts on his life: his mother.
“She has influenced me by teaching the importance of hard work, perseverance, and sacrifice. Growing up, I never heard her complain about the hardships of life. What was most important to her was for me and my sister to be happy. She taught me that if you have a dream, you must protect it and do whatever it takes to accomplish that dream. She had a different perspective on how to approach life. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be the man I am today.”
Those lessons of strength and service echoed in Sanu’s admiration for his childhood football hero: Walter Payton. Long before he hit an NFL field, Sanu saw in Payton the perfect blend of on-field brilliance and off-field heart. Versatile. Tough. Giving. It wasn’t just about stats for Sanu, it was about legacy. Impact. Purpose.
“Football was not my purpose in life. It was a stepping stone for being an agent of change and making a difference.”
Together with his mother, Aminata Koroma, and the non-profit Develop Africa, which has been working to develop the next generation of lives in Africa, Sanu hosted his 2nd Annual Swing 4 Change Golf Outing on June 23rd. The outing was held in Cumming, GA, at the Polo Golf & Country Club.
115 golfers attended the outing and helped raise over $50,000 to assist Sanu in his mission to build a multi-purpose community center for those in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
In a recent press release, Sanu describes the community center as “one of the biggest responsibilities of my life.”
“It will bring together people who inspire each other, and they will stand as a testament to our long-term investment in the community. Beyond the bricks and mortar, the building will be transformed by the energy and passion of the people who visit – professionals, volunteers, staff, and families.”
If anyone understands what the power of community can do for a young person’s development, it’s Sanu. In the aforementioned Players’ Tribune article, Sanu outlined how his “Crew” of supporters is one of the main drivers of his success in the NFL. From his mother and sister making sure he had a roof over his head off the field to coaches Vinny Jackson and Joe Susan allowing him the opportunity to showcase his talents on it, Sanu was given a chance to succeed by those...
