The mission of our foundation is to help “at risk” youth who are:

  • "To empower underserved communities through sports by providing access to high-quality sports camps that foster physical wellness, personal development, and community engagement."

  • Offenders in the juvenile detention center

  • Live in marginalized communities

  • Have fallen through the cracks of CPS

  • In need of assistance with behavioral disorders

  • Participating in re-entry programs

Meet Vernon

Wellington Vernon Dean (born May 5, 1959) is a former professional American football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks. He played college football at San Diego State University and was drafted in the second round of the 1982 NFL Draft. Vernon also worked as a defensive coordinator at Virginia State University.

The Early Years

He joined the NFL coaching ranks in 2003 after spending 10 seasons coaching on the collegiate and high school level. He assisted Peter Giunta in tutoring the Kansas City Chiefs secondary in 2003 prior to taking over the reigns as cornerbacks coach for the next two seasons. The addition of Dean to the Chiefs coaching staff in 2003 coincided with safety Jerome Woods earning his initial Pro Bowl berth.Prior to his stint with the Leathernecks, Dean coached the secondary at Western Oregon in 2000-01. From 1997-1999 he served as the defensive backs coach at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, California.

Giving Back

He began his coaching career at Georgetown University where he tutored the defensive backs for the Hoyas in ’90 before serving as the club’s defensive coordinator from 1992-93.

Dean brings a wealth of hands-on expertise after serving seven seasons as an NFL cornerback with Washington (’82-87) and Seattle (’88).

Dean made three Bowl appearances with Washington and was a port of Joe Gibbs’ squads that claimed victories in Super Bowls XVII and XXII. He earned numerous honors including NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by Football Digest in ’82. These days you can catch Vernon coaching in the XFL.

Vernon strives to impact and improve the lives of youth through charity and commitment.

“If you are always trying to be normal, you’ll never know how amazing you can be.”

— Maya Angelou, American memoirist, popular poet, and civil rights activist

Contact

Feel free to contact us with any questions.