OJ SIMPSON NAMED WEEK 16 NATIONAL GUARD COMMUNITY MVP

Command WR/DB OJ SIMPSON has been named National Guard Community MVP of the Week for his recent philanthropic efforts.
Simpson (5-9, 195, Missouri Western) is in his first season in both the AFL and with the Command.
When he is not at practice, games or working his second job as an alcohol and drug counselor, Simpson offers guidance to troubled youth as a mentor.
“I work with them on life skills, treatment plans and goals for the future,” Simpson said. “I have the chance to help out kids and that’s the best feeling in the world.”
In May, the Command donated 100 car seats to a local hospital as part of “New Mommy Rewards”, which provided mothers of the first 100 children in May at the Shawnee Mission Medical Center with a new car seat. Simpson was one of the players who personally delivered some of the car seats.
As a Kansas City native, Simpson enjoys using his role as a professional athlete to impact his hometown community.
“I can build a rapport with these kids because I know what it’s like to grow up in this area,” Simpson said.
On June 16, Simpson joined his teammates in helping to coach the high school players participating in the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association Missouri vs. Kansas High School All Star football game. Simpson is also working with Command receivers’ coach, Tod Devoe, to coordinate a free football camp for youth in the Kansas City Community.
“I am not one of those players that just plays football and collects a paycheck,” Simpson said. “I like being involved and helping out in the community.”
The Kansas City Command (3-10) will host division opponent Chicago Rush (8-5) Saturday at 8:00 pm ET.
The National Guard Community MVP is awarded to one player each week in recognition of their commitment to community service. Following the 2012 season, players will be voted on by fans to become the National Guard Community MVP of the Year.

American Royal enlists experts on how to pay for Kemper Arena proposal

American Royal Association officials hired a team of public finance professionals to examine how to pay for a proposal to replace Kansas City’s aging Kemper Arena with a new Agricultural Events Center, the Kansas City Business Journal reports.
“Every past building project for the American Royal has been a public-private partnership with the city of Kansas City, and we look to continue that approach,” says Brant Laue, newly elected chairman of the board of directors.
The nonprofit’s annual board of governors meeting was this week. The American Royal has an agreement with Kansas City to use the Kemper Arena and other facilities through 2045.
On Oct. 25, American Royal officials announced the proposal to raze and replace the Kemper with a 5,000-seat coliseum and other new livestock facilities. However, the plan requires city approval.