In a move that has sent shockwaves through the hockey world and beyond, Pittsburgh Penguins superstar center Sidney Crosby has made an awe-inspiring and selfless gesture that transcends the game itself. Upon signing his monumental new contract — valued at $105 million — the NHL legend announced he will be donating the entirety of his signing bonus to charitable causes.
Crosby’s donation, totaling $105 million, is being directed to a newly launched foundation: “The 87 Initiative”, named after his iconic jersey number. The initiative will focus on youth sports programs, mental health support for athletes, underprivileged communities, and concussion research — a cause close to Crosby’s heart due to his own history with head injuries.
“Hockey has given me everything — opportunities, friendships, a platform,” Crosby said during the press conference. “Now it’s time I use that platform to give back in a way that truly matters.”
The donation marks the largest single-player charitable contribution in NHL history, and one of the most generous in all professional sports. Teammates, coaches, fans, and fellow athletes across leagues have been quick to react, praising Crosby not just as a generational talent, but a generational human being.
Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan called the act “pure Sidney — humble, thoughtful, and always thinking about others before himself.”
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman issued a statement calling Crosby’s decision “a landmark moment in the history of the league,” and added that the NHL will partner with The 87 Initiative to expand its reach globally.
As the Penguins gear up for another run at the Stanley Cup, Crosby has once again proven why he is the heart and soul of the franchise — and now, a beacon of compassion in the wider sports world
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