Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MINNEAPOLIS — BYU fans had a lot of reasons to cheer for Kyle Van Noy.
The former Cougar linebacker left Provo as one of the program’s all-time great defensive players, compiling 226 tackles, 27 sacks, seven interceptions and two defensive touchdowns in four seasons.
But what’s made Van Noy easy to cheer for in the NFL, including in Sunday’s Super Bowl LII, has been the difference he’s making off the field.
"It's great to spend time in the offseason, to help out in Reno, and it’s good to give back," Van Noy said. "I preach about giving back, but I want to be out there doing it."
Van Noy is living his dream of being a Super Bowl champion after featuring in last year’s Patriots win over the Atlanta Falcons. He’ll go for back-to-back titles Sunday at 4:30 p.m. MST against the Philadelphia Eagles.
But if it wasn't for the loving family that adopted him, Van Noy’s dream may have ended before it began.
Now he wants to help other children in similar situations achieve their own dreams.
"It’s awesome to be able to have a platform like this to talk about the Van Noy Valor Foundation," Van Noy said during Super Bowl media day. "We help with adoption, foster kids and disadvantaged youth, and try to armor them with success in this world."
Van Noy and his wife Marissa, a former Miss Utah pageant winner, have advocated for foster children in Utah and in the couple’s new home just outside Boston. They’ve hosted charity events from coast-to-coast since established the foundation in 2014, striving to “provide opportunities to encourage personal valor in youth by giving them resources and tools to grow, which will teach the youth to armor themselves for success,” according to the foundation’s website.
For more information, visit vannoyvalorfoundation.org.
