Alabama Players Address Homelessness: Deontae Lawson and Ryan Williams Spearhead a $7.8 Million Player Investment to Create a Special Refuge for Tuscaloosa’s Elderly Homeless Population
In a groundbreaking move that merges college athletics with deep-rooted community service, Alabama football stars Deontae Lawson and Ryan Williams have joined forces to lead a remarkable $7.8 million player-funded initiative to address homelessness in Tuscaloosa. Specifically, their focus is on a demographic often forgotten: the elderly homeless population.
This unique and inspiring effort goes far beyond touchdowns and tackles. It’s a powerful demonstration of how collegiate athletes, increasingly aware of their influence and financial power in the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) era, are rewriting the script of what it means to be a student-athlete.
The Heart Behind the Mission
Deontae Lawson, a senior linebacker and team captain, has long been a vocal advocate for civic involvement. A native of Mobile, Alabama, Lawson has used his platform to address issues from mental health awareness to youth mentorship. But this latest effort is his most personal yet.
“I’ve driven by the same underpasses and corners for years,” Lawson shared during a press conference held outside Bryant-Denny Stadium. “You see older people — our elders — curled up with nothing but a tarp or a cardboard mat. It hit me hard. These are people who raised our communities. They deserve dignity.”
For Ryan Williams, the highly touted freshman wide receiver from Saraland who has taken the college football world by storm, joining the cause was a no-brainer.
“When Deontae approached me, I didn’t hesitate,” said Williams. “I’ve been blessed with opportunities most people only dream about. It’s time to share that blessing. This isn’t about just helping—this is about transforming lives.”
The $7.8 Million Investment
The initiative, officially titled “The Crimson Haven Project,” is a direct result of combined NIL earnings, individual donations, and a new player-driven foundation that aims to support social causes within the state of Alabama. The idea is simple yet revolutionary: redirect a portion of player profits into a sustainable, multi-phase housing and wellness program for elderly homeless residents of Tuscaloosa County.
The initial $7.8 million will go toward the purchase and renovation of a 10-acre plot on the outskirts of Tuscaloosa, just off University Boulevard. This area will soon house a state-of-the-art living facility that blends independence with community support. It will include:
- 30 fully furnished individual units tailored to the needs of elderly residents.
- A community kitchen and dining hall providing two hot meals daily.
- On-site medical care, with weekly visits from volunteer doctors and nurses from the University of Alabama’s medical school.
- Counseling services to assist with trauma, addiction recovery, and reintegration into society.
- A small garden and recreational area, encouraging physical activity and serenity.
The construction is expected to be completed by late 2025, with the first residents moving in early the following year.
A New Era for NIL
What makes the Crimson Haven Project particularly impactful is its source of funding. Since the NCAA’s groundbreaking 2021 decision to allow athletes to profit off their name, image, and likeness, NIL deals have become synonymous with brand endorsements and personal wealth. But Lawson and Williams are redefining what that power can look like.
“This is what NIL should be,” said Coach Kalen DeBoer, who praised his players’ vision and leadership. “It’s about empowering athletes to become changemakers, to see themselves as more than just players. Deontae and Ryan are showing the world how to use that influence to lift others up.”
Other teammates have already joined the cause. Quarterback Jalen Milroe and running back Justice Haynes each contributed six figures, while various members of the offensive and defensive lines have pledged their support through percentage-based donations tied to upcoming NIL deals.
Several former Alabama players, now in the NFL, have also expressed interest in helping the project expand, including Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs and Philadelphia Eagles wideout DeVonta Smith.
Community Response
The announcement has reverberated far beyond the Alabama campus. Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox commended the players for stepping up in ways that few could have imagined.
“This isn’t just about money. It’s about leadership. These young men are modeling a version of success that is grounded in empathy and community responsibility,” Maddox said. “They’re doing something our city will be proud of for decades to come.”
Local organizations like the Tuscaloosa Housing Authority and One Place Family Justice Center have offered partnerships to provide wraparound services to residents. Community leaders in education, faith, and healthcare have also come forward to offer support, mentoring, and logistics to ensure that the Crimson Haven Project is not just a building, but a movement.
Personal Ties to the Cause
Both Lawson and Williams have personal connections to homelessness.
Lawson recounted the story of his grandfather, who suffered from dementia and spent several months without stable housing after falling through the cracks of Alabama’s social service system. “We got lucky,” Lawson recalled. “He was found by a church volunteer and taken in. But it could’ve ended much differently.”
Williams revealed that one of his mother’s cousins, now deceased, spent his final years in shelters and on the streets of Mobile. “He had nobody left to advocate for him,” Williams said. “That’s what really drives me — to be that advocate for someone else’s family.”
Building for the Future
The Crimson Haven Project is being designed with expansion in mind. While the first phase focuses on the elderly, the players envision future housing wings for homeless veterans and women fleeing domestic abuse situations.
“I don’t want this to be a one-and-done,” said Williams. “We’re laying the foundation, literally and figuratively, for long-term change.”
To help maintain the project, the players have launched The Crimson Haven Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that will oversee operations and fundraising. They’re working with university advisors, legal experts, and financial planners to ensure the foundation has longevity even after the players move on from college.
Plans are in place for community events, youth involvement days, and annual service projects led by Alabama football players to maintain ties between the team and the residents.
Changing the Narrative
Lawson and Williams have received praise not just for the financial commitment, but for the message they are sending.
“In a time where athletes are often criticized for being self-centered or focused only on the next paycheck, these guys are flipping the narrative,” said ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. “They’re proving that leadership isn’t about age or status — it’s about heart and action.”
Several college programs across the country have reached out to Alabama’s athletic department requesting guidance on how to implement similar initiatives on their campuses. There’s talk of an SEC-wide collaboration to tackle homelessness in each school’s local community, an idea that Williams said would be “a dream come true.”
A Symbol of the Crimson Tide Spirit
This initiative is already being seen as a defining moment in Alabama football history — not for what happened on the field, but for what’s taking root off of it.
Coach DeBoer summed it up best: “We train these guys to compete, to fight for every yard, every second. But more importantly, we try to train them to be men of character. Deontae and Ryan have done that in a way that none of us could have ever scripted.”
As bulldozers roll onto the lot for initial groundwork and architectural plans are finalized, a sign stands proudly at the property entrance. It reads: Coming Soon: Crimson Haven — Because No One Should Be Left Behind.
And with two football stars leading the charge, Tuscaloosa is witnessing what it truly means to wear the crimson and white — not just with pride, but with purpose.