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non-profit organization that is a leading provider of clean water wells in sub-Saharan Africa, and the idea was born. "It hit me that as NFL players we can leverage our platform and start an initiative for clean water," Long said. In 2015 Long and Worldserve International teamed up and created the "Waterboys." The idea is a player from each of the National Football League's teams will represent a "waterboy" and strive to raise $45,000 to build a freshwater well. "It's about $45,000 to construct a well that serves a 5,000 to 7,000 person community. The goal is to have 32 wells within the calendar year. That's ambitious, but you have to aim high," Long explained. "You can designate which player you're giving on behalf of and 100% of the donations are going to Tanzania and some neighboring areas." Long, who went back to Tanzania this past summer, said they were able to identify potential well sites. Now that the season is underway, he hopes they will be able to raise money and awareness across the NFL market as well as get the fans engaged. Long, who is the pioneer for the Waterboys initiative, has also been a pioneer for Virginia athletics. As a Charlottesville native and Virginia student-athlete alumnus, Long has recognized the impact his experi- ence at UVa has had on the rest of his life. "I really don't think I would be where I am today if I hadn't gone to UVa. It's important to me to give back – without UVa I wouldn't have had this opportunity. I think everything happens for a reason and UVa was a huge part of molding me into not only the football player that I am, but more importantly, the man I am today," Long said. You can make a donation or learn more about the Waterboys initiative by visiting www.waterboys.org.