Because 49ers OTAs were going on at the same time, wide receiver Anquan Boldin skipped the visit to the White House his former Ravens teammates took to celebrate their Super Bowl title.
OTAs are over now and Boldin spent Monday in the nation’s capital, but not for a ceremony in the Rose Garden. Boldin spent the day talking to members of the Obama administration, elected officials and staffers about human rights abuses in Africa. Boldin, who has visited the continent in each of the last two years, was in D.C. on behalf of Oxfam America and shed light on the lives of farmers who have been pushed aside by mining companies ahead of President Obama’s visit to Africa next week.
“You have these people who literally live on top of gold mines … and they see no benefits from it,” Boldin said, via RollCall.com. “People definitely get it. But I think it’s an issue that definitely needs to continue to be pushed.”
Boldin also said he plans to continue making visits to Africa and hopes to bring other NFL players with him to further publicize the issues he discussed on Monday. It’s not the usual offseason fare for professional football players, but it’s an impressive way to put one’s fame to use for helping others.