Jessie Bates III, a safety for the Atlanta Falcons, made a significant commitment on March 16, 2023, pledging $1 million over four years to support single mothers in both Atlanta and his hometown of Fort Wayne, Indiana. This move comes as Bates transitions to a new team, but his dedication to this cause predates his professional football career, having grown up with a single mother himself. The funds will be distributed throughout the duration of his four-year contract, primarily benefiting organizations that assist single-parent families in Atlanta and Fort Wayne. Rather than launching a new charitable program, Bates plans to continue the work of his existing JB3 Single Mother's Initiative, which recognizes and assists women raising children without a partner.
Inspired by his mother's struggles with raising six children while working two jobs, Bates established the JB3 Single Mother's Initiative to acknowledge the work of single mothers and provide families with experiences and support they might otherwise find difficult to afford. During the 2022 NFL season, he organized a weekend of activities for six single mothers and their children in Cincinnati, offering them respite from their usual routines and recognizing the responsibilities these mothers shoulder. This event earned Bates the NFL Players Association's Community MVP recognition during Week 15 of the 2022 season.
Moving to the Falcons offers Bates an opportunity to make a difference in another community while maintaining his charitable endeavors. He emphasizes the importance of contributing off the field, not just through football performances. His commitment to single mothers reflects his appreciation for the sacrifices made by his own mother and the desire to help families facing similar circumstances. Speaking about the initiative, Bates expressed that it is a cause he cares deeply about and one that allows him to do for other families what he longed to do with his mother by his side.