OXBOW, N.D.-Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz formed his own foundation by blending three personal interests: his faith, his love of the outdoors and dogs.
"To some people it's kind of random what we're focusing on, but at the end of the day it's what I'm passionate about," Wentz said Wednesday night before a private event at Oxbow Country Club to launch the "Carson Wentz AO1 Foundation."
The former North Dakota State quarterback is less than two weeks away from reporting to training camp with Philadelphia, as he heads into his second NFL season. Wentz started all 16 games during his rookie year with the Eagles.
The AO1 stands for "Audience of One," which Wentz has tattooed on his wrist. The foundation's mission is to "demonstrate the love of God by providing opportunities and support for those less fortunate and those in need."
A lot of people told him not to rush into starting his own foundation, but Wentz said he didn't want to wait.
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"I don't know how long I'll be fortunate enough to be playing and have this platform and have this opportunity to make a difference," said Wentz, who has two dogs.
Wentz said the foundation's three objectives are to help underprivileged youth overseas, to provide hunting and outdoor opportunities for the "underserved" in the Midwest and provide service dogs for youth in the Philadelphia area.
Wentz recently went on a mission trip to Haiti and called it a "humbling" experience. He wants to help provide food, shelter and education to people in need in places like Haiti, along with a Christ-centered message.
Wentz said the outdoors part of his foundation is similar to a "Make-A-Wish Foundation," providing hunting and other outdoor opportunities for individuals with "physical challenges, the underserved, or US veterans" living in the Midwest.
Another AO1 objective is providing service dogs for kids and families in the Philadelphia area. Wentz said starting the not-for-profit foundation is a way to help raise money and awareness for those three foundation objectives.
"We can make a much larger impact than I could just myself," Wentz said.
Zach Wentz, Carson's brother, will do a lot of the foundation work during the NFL season, Carson said.
"I want to be hands on when I can be," Carson added.
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Most of the Eagles receivers, including offseason free-agent signings Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith, were in Fargo this week to work out with Wentz.
"They loved it," Wentz said. "They thought the nicest people in the world were out here and that's what I've been telling them for a long time."
