Punahou alum and current San Francisco 49er DeForest Buckner is donating $10,000 in Nike apparel and another $10,000 in cash to assist Waianae High with various programs.
Buckner, who grew up on the Leeward Coast, said in a press release Wednesday, “My family, including my mom, are all graduates of Waianae High School. I felt it was really important once I made it to the NFL to give back to my community. I hope this will help many student athletes dream big like I did when I was in high school school. Schools like Waianae sometimes get neglected and I hope this helps them with any athletic shortfalls this year.”
Buckner won the 2015 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year award and was selected seventh overall by the 49ers in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
San Francisco kicks off its NFL season Monday night on ESPN against the Los Angeles Rams.
Wow….. awesome
Thats what Im talkib bout!! Remembering rootz. Make it big, and give back. God bless Buckner
What a Stand up young man. I hope Hawai’i athletes learn from this. Take care of the roots and in time everything can be healthy, Strong and blossom.
It takes a community take raise a child. And I mean raise um the right way.
Deforest Buckner, you are a true Athlete!!!!!!!
You have restored sportsmanship, faith, and most of all, HONOR!!!!!!!
Bless your heart’ Giving Back ‘ May you continue to be Blessed’ Prayers to you’ Thank you’
Great example.
SUCH AN EXAMPLE OF GRATITUDE!
AWESOME SHARE!
nice, way to step up and show pride in our public schools
A timely donation when the Sea Rider nation is on the rise.
Punahou probably doesn’t need the money. Good for him, giving to his community. Classy young man.
Thank you Deforest for always staying grounded.
It has been a pleasure watching you grow up into the young man that you are today.
Stay blessed buddy.
Mr. Grilho
This is what it is all about! Giving back to your community! Awesome awesome! He is truly Blessed and is being a Blessing. Big Hugs to him and his Ohana!
He’s a great kid. Was amazing to see him in intermediate already a physical specimen. Would’ve been awesome to see him as a Searider, but can’t turn down an opportunity to attend Punahou. His siblings went to Waianae. So great of him to donate to his community high school that he never attended. Not too many people would do what he did.
Beautiful story he helps out his community.
You don’t have to be a super athlete to give back. We all can give back in our own ways. Use this young man’s example and find a way that you can give back to your high school.
Dass whass great about punahou, they teach their kids to give back to the communitys they come from, Manti also donated to kahuku last year. oh, u guys see puns team this year? they are stacked again with many future buckners and teos.
Great Bloodline #Toilolo
The #5 for punahou carries a lot of weight. I hope the next one to wear it wears with class and dignity.
You the man DeForest, like what a class act to give back to mom’s nation; god bless in your NFL career.
That’s sound core values like upbringing in the home and in higher learning
Best Wishes,…RR4L.
Props to the young man! Now ball out!
What an awesome contribution from a young adult/professional, and excellent role model. Beautiful to remember your roots,. I don’t know you but am humbled by your thoughtfulness and gift of Aloha. Best of luck in the future and NFL field, will be watching for you! Mahalo for being 96792 proud.
THANK YOU, DeForest!! Best of luck as you enter this next phase of your journey!! God Bless!
My son Justin attends Waianae High School and is currently playing football. He was blessed with the opportunity to play, now this financial blessing. Mahalo Nui Loa!!!
What a great role model for the kids of Hawaii. I often get a chance to talk to DeForest. He is humble, takes pride in being a role model. And the Caddy he bought for his dad was amazing! This is a young man who took school seriously which lead to sports that opened up doors for him. What a great story and such a generous donation to Waianae.
His NFL Draft Party at Da Crawfish & Crabshack was really fun. It was great seeing George and his wife so happy for their son. No young man deserves it more than DeForest. When we had our Alumni Luau last year, he was one of kids who stayed late to stack tables and chairs. What an amazing young man!
Imua!! Could you imagine if he and Kennedy Tulimasealii playied on Waianae’s Dline together? Oh boy.
Chloropicrin September 8, 2016 at 6:26 pm
Imua!! Could you imagine if he and Kennedy Tulimasealii playied on Waianae’s Dline together? Oh boy.
That would not happen and here is why. One boy takes care of his family, does his school work, performs community service, donates money to worthy areas, and keeps out of trouble.
The other person “allegedly” abuses women, does it “allegedly” abused women more than once, got kicked off a football team, and after receiving several chances to learn from his mistakes, doesn’t seem like he has.
These two do not belong in the same sentence. In my opinion it is “blasphemous” to even write about these two together.
One is a great role model and young adult. The other is scum for the decisions he makes.
I am sure people on here would be okay if this person “allegedly” hit your mother, sister, or daughter.