As of 1 p.m., Deslin Alexandre’s 5th Down Campaign has raised $54,294 — exceeding his goal of an even $50,000.
He established the 5th Down Campaign earlier this year, partnering with the Pittsburgh Kid’s Foundation, as a way to provide an extra ‘fifth down’ for the kids in his native Haiti. The goal was set to provide basic needs, such as meals and education, for children in Cap-Haitien, Haiti.
Alexandre has also spent time with the local Homewood youth football team and, along with Calijah Kancey and Brandon Hill, volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House in the Children’s Hospital to serve lunch to families.
Alexandre’s work in the community, both near and far, has earned him a finalist position for the 2022 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year honor.
Alexandre, Penn State’s Sean Clifford and Oregon’s Alex Forsyth were selected from a group of 20 semifinalists that have all demonstrated an outstanding record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship.
“I just hope I can inspire someone else to continue to help,” Alexandre said back in October. “I think it takes everybody to just help people. We all help each other and be there for each other in every way we can.”
Aside from his work for the 5th Down Campaign, and his efforts on the football field where he’s served as one of Pitt’s captains for the last two seasons, he’s been busy in the classroom and the community.
“Alexandre is a perennial Honor Roll student pursuing an MBA in Pitt’s Katz Graduate School of Business,” the Witten CMofY release stated. “In the community, Alexandre sets the pace for Pitt’s entire athletic department, passionately dedicating time to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, literacy promotion and Divine Mercy Parish’s historic “Red Door” program that provides meals and clothing for the homeless.”
In five seasons at Pitt, Alexandre has compiled 131 tackles (59 solo), 29.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, an interception, seven pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.
As a super-senior captain in 2022, he racked up 29 tackles (13 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two pass breakups and forced a safety in a win over Duke.
It’s still undetermined if he will close out his Pitt career with an appearance in the Sun Bowl later this month, but if he has concluded his career at Pitt, it’s been impactful both on and off the field.
“For everyone, even Marcus Minor’s mom has been doing a lot of work behind the scenes helping people get out, so I’m thankful for that,” Alexandre said in November. “I’m thankful to all of you guys for helping to get the story out, Ms. Celeste helping me get this together, everyone who has had a hand in it, who donated. If you hear this, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for allowing me to help people, thank you to them for helping people also, it takes us all.”
The Witten Collegiate Man of the Year winner will be announced in Frisco, Texas on Feb. 23 at the official award ceremony.
Hey Karl, re-read your 4th paragraph. You may want to make a correction.