Not the trophies, not the money – how teacher Kati Jo Christensen’s story inspired Earl Thomas to quietly do what no one expected, changing the lives of hundreds of children in Seattle
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Not the trophies, not the money – how teacher Kati Jo Christensen’s story inspired Earl Thomas to quietly do what no one expected, changing the lives of hundreds of children in Seattle
Seattle, Washington – November 5, 2025
When a viral video showed Kati Jo Christensen, a special education teacher, paying off her students’ school lunch debt, it resonated far beyond the classroom — even reaching Earl Thomas, the legendary safety of the Seattle Seahawks, whose toughness on the field has always been matched by his quiet heart off it.
Thomas said he watched the video late one night and couldn’t shake the feeling. “Seeing those kids smile after something so simple hit me hard,” he said. “No child should ever have to worry about being hungry at school. I’ve been blessed through football — and it’s time to give that blessing back.”
Within a week, Thomas worked with the Seattle Public Schools Foundation, personally donating over $40,000 to eliminate lunch debt for more than 350 students across the district. He also encouraged teammates and former Seahawks players to join in, turning a single act of kindness into a wave of community generosity.
“For me, it’s not about the stats or the money,” Thomas said. “It’s about heart. I came from a small town where sharing what little you had meant everything. These kids deserve to feel full — not just in their stomachs, but in their spirits.”
His gesture inspired others to act. The Seahawks organization pledged matching funds, while local businesses contributed to expand the effort — collectively helping erase over $150,000 in school lunch debt across western Washington. Soon after, Thomas launched “Project Full Plate”, a $750,000 community initiative aimed at ensuring no student in Seattle ever goes hungry again.
“Sometimes the biggest wins don’t happen under stadium lights,” Thomas said quietly. “They happen when you give a kid hope — and remind them that someone out there still cares.”
For 12th Man Nation, it wasn’t just a story of charity — it was a reminder that the heart of Seattle’s defense still beats strongest where it matters most: in the community.
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