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“Bradley Bozeman’s reaction to ‘dirty hit’ on Chargers’ Justin Herbert feeds foundation.”

“Bradley Bozeman’s reaction to ‘dirty hit’ on Chargers’ Justin Herbert feeds foundation.”

Justin Herbert tries to pull away Bradley Bozeman, who was reacting to a tackle by the Saints' Nathan Shepherd (below).

Justin Herbert tries to pull away center Bradley Bozeman, who was reacting to a tackle on the Chargers’ quarterback by Saints’ Nathan Shepherd (below). Bozeman and Shepherd were asked to make up for unnecessary roughness penalties. (Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

After Bradley Bozeman became the football field’s version of Batman – he delivered vigilante justice by pinning Saints defenseman Nathan Shepherd to the turf after a dangerous takedown on quarterback Justin Herbert – the Chargers center’s wife, Nikki Bozeman, drove , returning home from SoFi Stadium on Sunday evening hopeful. The reaction would simply be in the family’s favor.

Things got even better with a boost from the Chargers.

After the Chargers used Bozeman’s viral moment of vigilantism to share information about it Bradley and Nikki Bozeman Foundation More than 150 fans donated on social media Charity efforts to combat food insecurity and combat bullying. With many contributing donations of $10 for No. 10 or $75 for No. 75, the foundation quickly raised more than $3,700.

“It was really just a sports moment and then it turned into something really cool to help our foundation,” Nikki said.

Nikki and Bradley received messages thanking him for defending Herbert on a play the center called “one of the dirtiest” he’s ever seen.

Herbert had already shoveled the ball to running back JK Dobbins when Shepherd awkwardly twisted the quarterback’s right ankle and pulled him to the ground.

Read more:Chargers-Saints takeaways: Ladd McConkey has strong hands and two touchdowns in the win

Bozeman pounced on Shepherd, knocking him off Herbert in a retaliatory move. Fox play-by-play announcer Chris Myers noted that this could be viewed as an unofficial continuation of the Bozemans’ anti-bullying campaign.

The couple initially founded a foundation to educate children about the dangers of bullying. Bradley, a two-time national champion at Alabama, and Nikki, a forward on the Crimson Tide basketball team, began cold calling schools near Tuscaloosa. They were soon invited to give lectures at schools across the state. After Bradley was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens, the speaking engagements evolved into a cross-country RV trip that included 20 schools in 18 states before the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the Bozemans heard feedback from children during the pandemic, they shifted their focus to food insecurity and worked with food banks to pack snack boxes that police officers would distribute to children in low-income neighborhoods. With the program already running in Baltimore and Charlotte, NC, the Bradley and Nikki Bozeman Foundation has distributed 3.5 million meals.

After the seven-year pro signed with the Chargers this offseason, the Bozemans began working with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to finalize their plans to expand the SYNC Snack Box program in Los Angeles, which serves your neighbors and community. Nikki’s intention is to ensure that “the most impacted zip codes” are first on the list.

In addition to financial contributions, the foundation is looking for volunteers to help pack boxes. Volunteers can register via Contact page on the foundation’s website.

Justin Herbert pats Bradley Bozeman on the back of his helmetJustin Herbert pats Bradley Bozeman on the back of his helmet

Herbert (10) thanks Bozeman (75) after the center came to his aid. (Ryan Sun/Associated Press)

Chargers players and staff, including coaches Jim Harbaughvolunteered in Charlotte earlier this season. With about 50 Chargers people in attendance, the group set a record: 1,000 boxes were packed in 26 minutes.

“For you to come for two hours is exponentially more than you could give us financially,” Nikki said. “The fact that you come and help, are the support on site and have this experience with us to be able to change our community is so exponentially (more) helpful to us than anything else.”

The couple, who got engaged after the 2018 Alabama Football National Championship when Bradley proposed under a shower of confetti on the field, have long been involved in community service.

Nikki, a 6-foot-1 forward whose 88 career blocks ranked sixth in Alabama history upon graduation in 2016, was a Senior CLASS Award nominee and a nominee for the Allstate WBCA Good Works Team, the athlete honors those who have committed themselves to their communities.

Bradley is a three-time Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee, twice in Baltimore and once in Carolina.

Read more:Chargers take Jim Harbaugh’s sometimes funny words very seriously

Given Bradley’s friendly nature, Nikki was shocked to see how he reacted on Sunday. She had only seen this side of her husband once: when another man wouldn’t leave her alone in a bar. Bradley pushed him against the wall.

“When you talk about Bradley, someone where that’s not the baseline, that’s not normal, you really know something serious happened,” Nikki said.

Bozeman told Nikki he saw Shepherd look at Herbert’s right ankle, which the quarterback injured in Week 2, before further twisting Herbert’s leg and pulling him to the ground. Fox rules analyst Mike Pereira described the violation as “vicious” on television.

After seeing criticism of the play, Saints coach Dennis Allen said he disagreed with it.

“I think it’s not correct,” he told reporters on Monday. “Here’s a guy trying to take the quarterback to the ground. He is lying on the ground. He has no idea whether the quarterback has the ball or not. He’s just trying to get the quarterback to the ground. There was nothing malicious about the play. “It’s a guy trying to make the play.

The compensating penalties negated a first down for the Chargers but sparked the team on its first touchdown drive of the game, a 15-play, 90-yard march that ended with a one-yard run by Dobbins.

Harbaugh said in the locker room afterward that everyone deserved a game ball for the winning attempt, but singled out about a half-dozen players, including Herbert, rookie receiver Ladd McConkey and punter JK Scott.

Bozeman received the loudest cheers.

DJ Chark Jr. is about to make his return

Wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (groin) was limited at practice Wednesday but said if he continues on his current path, he could be able to make his long-awaited season debut Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.

The receiver is in the final week of his 21-day return window after being activated from injured reserve on Oct. 16.

Chargers receiver DJ Chark Jr. runs after a catch.Chargers receiver DJ Chark Jr. runs after a catch.

The Chargers would like to finally get receiver DJ Chark Jr. into the lineup. (Gregory Bull/Associated Press)

The Chargers have until November 4th to place Chark on the active roster or place him on injured reserve at the end of the season.

With Quentin Johnston (ankle) and Derius Davis (hamstring) returning to practice on a limited basis Wednesday after missing two games, Chark believed the receiving group could soon take the field together as intended.

“I can’t wait to play with my boys,” Chark said. “I love these guys, they are great teammates. I’m just looking forward to coming in, doing my part – nothing more, nothing less – and helping the team win.”

Etc.

Tight ends Will Dissly (shoulder) and Stone Smartt (ankle), cornerback Kristian Fulton (hamstring) and linebacker Denzel Perryman (toe) did not practice Wednesday. … outside linebacker Joey Bosa (hip) was limited after playing 19 snaps against the Saints in his first game appearance since Week 3.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.