Jerry Azumah is one of the first people I had the pleasure of meeting when I moved to Chicago and he’s been the same cool ass guy since the day we met. In the five years or so that I’ve known him he’s gone from Chicago Bears cornerback to acclaimed sports reporter to one of the most highly regarded philanthropists in the city, thanks to his non-profit organization ASAP (Azumah Student Assistance Program).

I had the privilege of attending the Texas Hold’Em Poker Tournament and Casino Night fundraiser hosted by the ASAP Foundation at the Hotel Sax. The event brought out a slew of Jerry’s former teammates including Adewale Ogunleye, Richard Dent and Lance Briggs, quite a few high rollers and some of Chicago’s most elite movers and shakers. That evening Jerry raised a bunch of moolah for his foundation and everyone in attendance had a blast. Now that’s what giving back is all about!