Cam Jordan’s Impact Beyond the Gridiron

Sacks & Service

The Superdome crowd roared on third down, creating an atmosphere so deafening the opposing offense struggled to hear the quarterback yell from under center. The Saints' defense was ready to pounce, sensing the chaos being caused by the thunderous yells of the home crowd.

The ball snapped, and the quarterback dropped back, looking for an open receiver. A gigantic defensive end, sporting number 94, barreled past the offensive lineman trying to block him, reached out his long, muscular arms, secured his prey, and sacked the quarterback, ending the opponent's drive.

That scene has been a familiar sight for New Orleans Saints fans, as defensive end Cam Jordan, number 94, has imposed his will on opponents for the past 14 seasons. Snuffing out drives and striking fear into the hearts of opposing quarterbacks is all in a day's work for the franchise's all-time sacks leader.

Sack Leader, Community Servant

Known as a bulldozing behemoth on the gridiron, Jordan is equally as passionate about community service.

"I feel like a positive act creates another positive act, so it's just a domino effect," Jordan said. Although Jordan has been serving the New Orleans community in various ways since he was drafted by the Saints in 2011, he eventually realized there was a better way to streamline efforts with the help of others to make a greater impact.

"It came down to finding out what I truly cared about was the next generation," Jordan said. "How do you push education? How do we break down the digital divide? How do we come together in a collective and create a bigger statement?"

After starting the God Iz Love Foundation several years ago, Jordan rebranded his charitable endeavor to the Cam Jordan Foundation before the 2024 season. The foundation's mission is to create positive change in the lives of children and better the community through resources, youth development initiatives, and innovative experiences. The foundation hosts a variety of programs throughout the year, including football camps, Thanksgiving turkey giveaways, and school visits.

Education Advocate

Jordan's gregarious personality was on full display as he strolled into the Saints practice facility, jammed to gospel music, and greeted everyone he saw with a million-watt smile and a kind word. Normally in late May, the Saints' All-Pro defensive end would be preparing for a team workout, practice, or meeting, but that day was a special day. There were no pads and no helmets, just the anticipation of one of Jordan's favorite activities—helping others.

As a big advocate for education, Jordan's foundation celebrated the inaugural Cam Jordan Foundation Legacy Scholarship Program. The scholarship program awards four high school seniors full tuition coverage for four years at an in-state college or university.

Jordan had the privilege of hosting the four scholarship recipients for a celebratory reception. As he mixed and mingled with the four rising college freshmen and their parents, Jordan dished out sage advice on everything from overcoming obstacles to the importance of education. "The more that we know, the more we're able to show," Jordan said as he sat in front of the small group during a Q&A portion of the reception. "When I say show, I mean who you are, what you're about, and how you're going to help the situation. That could be your company, that could be your community."

The importance of education was instilled into Jordan at a young age. Jordan's father, Steve, was an Ivy League graduate of Brown University, as well as a Pro Bowl tight end in the NFL. As a student, the younger Jordan also excelled in the classroom, having played his undergraduate football at the University of California, Berkeley, one the most prestigious schools in the country. "This legacy scholarship program from the Cam Jordan Foundation is sort of my beacon of how I can bring other kids along and give them another chance to further their education," Jordan said.

Lasting Impact

Hearing Jordan rattle off the list of charitable endeavors he's spearheaded over the last 14 years is inspiring. It's not just the donations, of which there are many, that stand out, but it's the time he's devoted to visiting and serving kids in southern Louisiana that is most impressive.

The former Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee visits schools constantly, doling out advice, answering questions, and trying to inspire the next generation of students and leaders. He and his team give laptops to students to combat the digital divide, provide school supplies to kids each year, bring gifts to teachers, sponsor an annual Christmas sneaker giveaway—his personal favorite event as a self-proclaimed sneakerhead—and so much more.

Even when he wakes up at 5 a.m. every morning to workout before bringing his four kids to school, he's constantly brainstorming new opportunities to help the community for years to come. "My goal is to keep on sending these kids to school," Jordan said. "I would love to sit here in five, 10 years, and say, 'Hey, you know, the Cam Jordan Foundation has sent 100 different kids through college.' I want to see their story and see how they progress. Beyond that, hopefully it inspires somebody else to do the same. It's not just about me, it's about 'we.'"

Entering his 15th season with the Saints, Jordan is inarguably one of the franchise's most decorated and beloved players of all-time. The impact he's leaving on New Orleans, however, will continue to reverberate around the city long after he's done terrorizing opposing quarterbacks.