Florida Gators Coach Jim McElwain Gives $5,000 To Former Player In Need

Jim McElwain is off to a strong start at the University of Florida.  The freshly minted head coach of the Florida Gators football team has yet to take his team through the tunnel of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field for a regular season game, but has already made strides as a leader in Gainesville.  McElwain has also demonstrated that no matter where his job takes him, he refuses to forget about his roots and his purpose to help others in times of need.

According to The Coloradoan, Jim McElwain and his wife Karen have donated $5,000 to help a former Colorado State University football player who had a lack of requisite resources to fly home for his late wife's funeral.   The donation, provided by the McElwain-owned MacFam LLC, was delivered to defensive lineman Eli Edwards .  Edwards and his daughter will use the generous gift from McElwain, along with the $15,000 received from various other donors, to cover the expenses attached to flying home from New Zealand, which is where Edwards' wife had been treating for lupus.

Donations continue to roll in despite more than $20,000 being raised to date.  McElwain's charitable contribution should bring additional awareness to the Edwards' struggle and more attention to the official GoFundMe page.  The former Colorado State University coach had no obligation to open up his wallet and supplement the existing aid.  It shows the character of a man who has big shoes to fill as the next head coach of a promising football program at the University of Florida.  At least Gators fans know that they have a new coach with a big heart.

Darren Heitner is a lawyer and the Founder of South Florida-based HEITNER LEGAL, P.L.L.C., which has a focus on Sports Law and Entertainment Law.

Follow @DarrenHeitner