Kansas City Chiefs player Derrick Nnadi celebrated his team’s Super Bowl win in a unique way by covering the adoption fees for more than 100 dogs at a Kansas City, Mo. animal shelter.
Nnadi has been covering adoption fees for each game his team has won throughout the season. The Chiefs’ defensive tackle decided to celebrate Sunday’s big win by covering the adoption fees for all the dogs at the KC Pet Project in Kansas City, CNN reported.
The shelter’s adoption fees reportedly cost about $150 on average. Nnadi’s fee waiver covered the adoption costs for every dog that was made available for adoption by Feb. 2, when the Super Bowl game was played.
“All my life I always wanted a dog,” Nnadi, 23, told CNN. “Growing up I didn’t have a pet, my parents didn’t really allow pets.”
He said he finally got his first dog, Rocky, during his high school senior year.
“When I first got [Rocky], he was very timid,” Nnadi said. “It made me think of how other animals, whether they’re owned or in a shelter, are feeling scared and alone.”
The Derrick Nnadi Foundation decided to partner with the KC Pet Project during Nnadi’s second NFL season, which ended with his team’s Super Bowl victory.
“I’ve never been a champion before. All the years of me playing football, that first time honestly feels like the best day of my life,” Nnadi said.
The KC Pet Project cares for over 10,000 animals a year, according to the shelter’s website.
“Thanks to his incredible support, more than 100 available dogs in our care will have their adoption fees sponsored starting today,” said KC Pet Project chief communications officer Tori Fugate.
