Teammates on the field, safety Marques Anderson and wide receiver Javon Walker have formed another partnership, this time to benefit the Wisconsin community that has embraced the two since being drafted by the Packers in 2002.
Joining forces with Make-A-Wish of Wisconsin, Walker, who led the Packers with nine touchdowns in 2003, will donate $84 -- the equivalent of his jersey number -- to the foundation for every touchdown he scores during the regular season and in the playoffs.
Anderson, who earned Packers' 'Defensive Rookie of the Year' honors in 2002 and wears No. 20, will donate $20 for every tackle, sack or interception this year.
Three department stores -- Boston Store, Younkers and Herberger's -- will match the contributions to the foundation.
In addition, the department stores will also feature the players' new clothing lines, 'JWalk' and 'MdotA', which were unveiled Saturday.
A new line of styles will appear carrying 8-10 new pieces for each player each month as well as an upcoming 'tailgating' line.
Merchandise is also available on Walker's Web site, www.javonwalker84.com, which was launched at the end of July, and will soon be availabe on Anderson's site, www.mdota.com.
Anderson, who recently established the '20/20 Vision for Success' foundation, will launch a site for the foundation, www.2020foundation.com, in mid-August and also has plans to debut a children's book in the fall called Michievous Marques.
In line with the two players' passion for giving back, Anderson and Walker will also visit 25 Wisconsin high schools statewide this fall, steering students toward college, as part of the 'Javon Walker and Marques Anderson School Tour', which kicked off at a Milwaukee Brewers game at Miller Park earlier this summer.
Interacting with fans throughout the game, Anderson and Walker gave away autographed footballs, signed autographs, sat in the broadcast booth and threw out the first pitch.
Walker, who won the traditional 6th inning sausage race, pulled a cell phone out of his sock as he crossed the finished line.
"Living here in Green Bay and in the state of Wisconsin," Walker said, "there's nothing like giving back to the people who love the Packers, who love football and who support us like they do.
"We've been blessed to be able to play this game. All the time at practice, Make-A-Wish brings kids that haven't been as fortunate as some of us, and all they want to do is meet some of the Packers players, and to be able to give back to them is a great feeling."
"We're lucky to be in the position to help an organization of that caliber," Anderson said. "And to have the department stores match our efforts on the field is real exciting. Anytime that I have the chance to give back, I try to do that."
