Charitable U: Zane Beadles donates $750K to football program


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Zane Beadles has always been one to go above and beyond.

While at Hillcrest High School, Beadles never missed a game and was named to the all-state team.

At the University of Utah, he became the fourth Ute offensive lineman to become a first-team All-American. He was also a four-year starter for the Utes.

With his former team — the Denver Broncos — Beadles started 67 of 69 games in proving himself instrumental in helping protect quarterback Peyton Manning during last season's Super Bowl run.

Beadles' work ethic and determination helped him land a five-year, $30 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars — just a bit more than his $630,000 salary last season, which was the lowest among all Broncos offensive starters.

And now he's giving back.

Beadles announced Monday morning that he is donating $750,000 to the Utes' football program — $500,000 to go toward the Zane Beadles' Sports Medicine Center and $250,000 to the Zane Beadles' Offensive Line Scholarship.

"This is something I’ve known I wanted to do ever since I left school," Beadles said in a statement released by Utah. "The University of Utah was such a great place for me. I don’t think I’d be where I am today without the University of Utah. I am excited to pledge this money to the U. and give back to the place that helped shape me into the man I am today. I’d like to thank all of the professors, coaches and support staff at the University of Utah. It was a great four and a half years of my life and I’ll always be a Ute!"

Beadles' donation marks the largest gift ever by a former Utah football player back to the program.

"Zane Beadles makes a difference in everything he undertakes — academically, athletically and in the community — so I was not surprised that he wanted to give back to his alma mater and his football team," said Utah Director of Athletics Dr. Chris Hill. "That is the kind of person Zane Beadles is and we are thrilled he has chosen to continue to impact the University of Utah in a positive manner with his gift to our program."

"We are very thankful to Zane for his generous donation," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "Zane was an outstanding student-athlete and community member during his time here and is another in a long line of former players to give back to our university. He is a great source of pride to all of us at Utah and we are appreciative of his loyalty and generosity."

Beadles isn't the only athlete that has given back to the U. recently. Alex Smith ($500,000), Jordan Gross ($500,000), Steve Smith ($400,000) and Paul Soliai ($250,000) have all made major donations to the football program, while Andre Miller ($500,000) and Andrew Bogut ($125,000) made large gifts to the men’s basketball program.

Contributing: Jeremiah Jensen

Robert Jackson is the cross platform sports and weather producer for ksl.com and KSL-TV. He has covered the Utes for KSL since 2008. You can catch him and co-host Brian Swinney Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. on the Ute Sports Report 1320 KFAN.

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