The African faces of American football

They're the faces of Africa in the United States National Football League.

Nnamdi Asomugha of the Oakland Raiders, Madieu Williams of the Minnesota Vikings and NFL newcomer Ndamukong Suh of the Detroit Lions are distinguished members of the growing fraternity of NFL players with African roots.

Despite all their fame and fortune, the three players have not forgotten their African background -- Asomugha, Williams and Suh have been engaged in humanitarian work that has touched the lives of thousands, both in the U.S. and in Africa.

African Voices present the three NFL stars who let their ties with Africa show on and off the field.

Ndamukong Suh of the Detroit Lions.

Nnamdi Asomugha.

The 29-year-old from Torrance, California, is considered to be one of the most formidable cornerbacks in the NFL. His exceptional athletic talent has earned him a three-year $45 million contract with the Raiders, making him the highest-paid cornerback in the league.

For the first-generation Nigerian, having deep roots in his African culture has helped him cope with success and kept him grounded.

When he was 25, Asomugha founded ACTS -- an annual college tour and mentoring program that provides low-income kids with the opportunity to visit college campuses around the U.S.

With the help of his mother, he also heads the OWIN initiative that helps orphans and widows in need in Nigeria and other African nations.

Through the Asomugha Foundation, that Nnamdi chairs, OWIN has raised money to feed, clothe and educate more than 5,000 Nigerian women and children.

This year, Asomugha won the NFL Players Association's highest honor for outstanding contributions to his team, community and country.

He says his work with the Asomugha Foundation will continue long after his football days come to an end.

"You don't stop -- it's not a job, it's not an occupation, it's a way of life," he told CNN. "It won't stop because it comes from the heart."

Ndamukong Suh

Standing at almost two meters tall, or 6 feet 7 inches and weighing around 136 kilos, or just shy of 300 pounds , 23-year-old Suh is the latest player of African descent to join the NFL. The defensive tackle, who was the second overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, grew up in a multi-cultural family, his father hailing from Cameroon and his mother from Jamaica.

Source:http://articles.cnn.com