Players Mentioned
S
/ Football
SNP
/ Football
Trojan Linebacker Anthony Beavers Jr. Spearheads Philanthropic Event with LA’s Best and USC Football
June 27, 2025 | Football, Trojan Outreach
By: Natalie Miller, USC Football Communications Student Assistant
It wasn't the usual sounds of whistles blaring and pads thudding coming from Howard Jones practice field this past Tuesday morning. Rather, the laughter of children could be heard echoing over the facility walls.
On June 24, the USC football team hosted 75 first through fifth graders from LA's BEST, an after school enrichment program for LAUSD elementary students, for a day of fun and football. LA's BEST provides students with academic support, nutritious meals and opportunities to participate in enrichment activities, all at zero cost.
When redshirt senior linebacker Anthony Beavers Jr., a South Central Los Angeles native and alum of LA's Best, brought the idea of giving back to an organization that helped shape him to Clarke Stroud, the executive director of player development and university relations, he was met with immediate support. The Trojan football program jumped at the opportunity to interact with the community surrounding USC's campus.
The energy was contagious on Tuesday as the entire football team was in attendance to run football skill drills and games for the kids. This was the first time many of the children had been on a college campus and interacted with student-athletes.
"When we saw the smiles on the kids' faces, we knew we were making an impact," said redshirt senior long snapper Hank Pepper. Pepper and his teammates bonded with the children by creating victory dances and handshakes with them to celebrate completion of the drills.
As a first-generation college graduate, one of Beavers' goals with this event was to encourage the children of LA's Best to pursue higher education. In his four years at USC, Beavers has earned his bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in occupational science, a graduate certificate in gerontology and is currently pursuing his master's degree in gerontology.
"Today's event was a full circle moment," said Beavers. "I remember being in their shoes and doing my homework at LA's Best.
"That elementary age is pivotal in development as these kids are very easily influenced by their environment," he said. "Being able to show them that someone who came from a similar situation as them was able to do great things is astronomical."
At the end of the event, the team and the children met at the center of the field, and Beavers addressed the group. His message to the children was one of inspiration -- dream big and never give up.
Jessie Rojas, LA's Best communications and marketing manager, shared her appreciation of the Trojans' mentorship to the children.
"They felt like they had people cheering them on today, and that's so important."
Beavers hopes to continue a partnership with LA's BEST and the children of South Central Los Angeles long after this season.
"I definitely want to make this a priority for many years to come and make this an annual thing," he said. "I want to continue to show kids from my own background that they can have aspirations of going to college and accomplishing great things."
It wasn't the usual sounds of whistles blaring and pads thudding coming from Howard Jones practice field this past Tuesday morning. Rather, the laughter of children could be heard echoing over the facility walls.
On June 24, the USC football team hosted 75 first through fifth graders from LA's BEST, an after school enrichment program for LAUSD elementary students, for a day of fun and football. LA's BEST provides students with academic support, nutritious meals and opportunities to participate in enrichment activities, all at zero cost.
When redshirt senior linebacker Anthony Beavers Jr., a South Central Los Angeles native and alum of LA's Best, brought the idea of giving back to an organization that helped shape him to Clarke Stroud, the executive director of player development and university relations, he was met with immediate support. The Trojan football program jumped at the opportunity to interact with the community surrounding USC's campus.
The energy was contagious on Tuesday as the entire football team was in attendance to run football skill drills and games for the kids. This was the first time many of the children had been on a college campus and interacted with student-athletes.
"When we saw the smiles on the kids' faces, we knew we were making an impact," said redshirt senior long snapper Hank Pepper. Pepper and his teammates bonded with the children by creating victory dances and handshakes with them to celebrate completion of the drills.
As a first-generation college graduate, one of Beavers' goals with this event was to encourage the children of LA's Best to pursue higher education. In his four years at USC, Beavers has earned his bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in occupational science, a graduate certificate in gerontology and is currently pursuing his master's degree in gerontology.
"Today's event was a full circle moment," said Beavers. "I remember being in their shoes and doing my homework at LA's Best.
"That elementary age is pivotal in development as these kids are very easily influenced by their environment," he said. "Being able to show them that someone who came from a similar situation as them was able to do great things is astronomical."
At the end of the event, the team and the children met at the center of the field, and Beavers addressed the group. His message to the children was one of inspiration -- dream big and never give up.
Jessie Rojas, LA's Best communications and marketing manager, shared her appreciation of the Trojans' mentorship to the children.
"They felt like they had people cheering them on today, and that's so important."
Beavers hopes to continue a partnership with LA's BEST and the children of South Central Los Angeles long after this season.
"I definitely want to make this a priority for many years to come and make this an annual thing," he said. "I want to continue to show kids from my own background that they can have aspirations of going to college and accomplishing great things."
Trojans Live: USC's Lincoln Riley, Lake McRee, and Abigail Mullen | September 9, 2025
Monday, September 08
USC WR Ja’Kobi Lane on his spectacular one-handed TD catch, Trojans moving to 2-0
Saturday, September 06
USC Football vs Georgia Southern Post Game Press Conference
Saturday, September 06
USC LB Desman Stephens II | USC defeats Georgia Southern, 59-20
Saturday, September 06
