Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has launched the Freiermuth Fund, a new initiative focused on supporting teachers and students in low-income areas. Drawing inspiration from his family of educators, Freiermuth said the decision to focus on education was clear.
“My parents and are both educators, my brother is an educator, my sister-in-law is an educator,” said Freiermuth. “Basically, everyone in my family are teachers. So, I wanted to give back to schools, specifically the teachers. I wanted to base this off giving to teachers in low-income areas the supplies and stuff needed to have a successful classroom for all the kids.
“Sometimes the low-income areas are forgotten and it’s harder for kids to have the necessary tools to go on and be successful later in life. So just being able to help provide support for that, it’s been big.”
The fund’s mission is “to connect with students and teachers at every level who have big goals but may lack the resources to achieve them…from classroom supplies and technology to financial support.” It aims to supply essentials such as laptops, books, and other materials.
Freiermuth credits his parents’ influence for emphasizing academics alongside athletics during his upbringing. “Growing up in the family I did, especially with my parents as educators, they played a major role in the importance of school,” he said. “Being successful in football in high school and college, they never allowed me to forget how important school is.
“If I can do my part to allow teachers to express that to the kids, how important school is, and help them succeed to be successful, then I’m doing something bigger than my impact on the field.”
A key component of the fund will be honoring a Teacher of the Month from Western Pennsylvania based on online nominations. The award includes $1,000 for classroom supplies as well as game day experiences with Steelers merchandise. A season-ending winner will receive a visit from Freiermuth at their classroom.
Earlier this week Freiermuth visited Clairton Elementary School with The Education Partnership organization—an effort that provided backpacks and school supplies during an Adopt-A-School assembly after recent hardships faced by that community.
“It’s very special just seeing all the kids smile,” said Freiermuth. “It’s an exciting part of their day, and it’s also an exciting part of my day. It’s always fun to see their reaction, see the smiles when they get a new backpack and the school supplies. It means a lot because they are excited to see me there as well.
“I enjoy the opportunity to be able to give back.”
Freiermuth also contributed $10,000 toward relief efforts led by The Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania following last month’s explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works plant—a tragedy resulting in fatalities and injuries within that community.
“I want to be able to help people as much as I can,” said Freiermuth. “It’s important to do our part.”
He recently completed his own academic journey by earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State’s College of Liberal Arts after taking 15 online courses over two years while playing professionally.
“It was great to get it done,” said Freiermuth. “I had a lot of help with my academic advisor at Penn State, Todd Kulka. He did a great job getting me on track to graduate and it’s just an awesome feeling.”
“It was definitely pretty tough, but I got through it,” added Freiermuth about returning for his degree after leaving early for the NFL Draft. “I was happy to see the smile on my mom’s face that I did it.”
