Bengals defensive back takes at-risk youth on shopping spree to buy them new school clothes



Dre Kirkpatrick was selected 17th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2012 NFL Draft and has been a starting cornerback on the team for the past three seasons.

Over the course of his six-year career, the Gadsden, Alabama native started the Dre Kirkpatrick’s 21 Kids Foundation which he uses to help at-risk and disadvantaged children through mentorships, academic and emotional support, and promotion of healthy lifestyles.

Earlier this month, the 28-year-old held his Back to School Swag Spree event in his hometown where he took 19 local kids to Shoe Carnival and Old Navy to purchase brand new clothes and shoes for them for the upcoming school year.



This is one of the cornerstone projects of Kirkpatrick’s charity, who had this to say to ABC 3340’s Stu McCann.



“I just feel like, there is nothing like having a fresh pair of kicks on your feet. That’s one of my obsessions. I just feel like that would be something pretty cool, that kids would be able to come in here and pick out any shoe they want.”

On top of providing the kids with a shopping spree, the former Tide star also treated the children to lunch at the Black Stone Pub and Eatery.

(H/T ABC3340)