UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture — a former air traffic controller for the U.S. Army 101st Airborne — recently established a nonprofit corporation with his wife, Kim, called, The Xtreme Couture GI Foundation.
According to the Web site, the foundation was formed to raise money and awareness for troops wounded in action and their families.
“The Natural” recently spoke with NBCSports.com about the initiative.
Here’s a snip:
“The biggest thing we want to let people know is that it’s not a political statement. It’s not about the war; it’s about the support of those men and women that are stepping up and supporting our country and government by putting their lives on the line. It doesn’t really matter what you believe about the war and whether it’s right or wrong. You have to commend those guys who are doing their job.”
The Xtreme Couture GI Foundation will use donations to implement several programs with the soldiers in mind, including, but not limited to:
Urgent Financial Needs. The Foundation will assist in payments to prevent families from becoming homeless, paying bills for those who could not handle the extra expense of staying near their convalescing soldier, and helping discharged soldiers start their lives back home.
Memorial Day Tribute Event. Saluting the American GI’s and honoring our wounded soldiers and their families. This annual event will be a fundraiser for the Foundation.Xtreme Weekend. Wounded soldiers get to spend a weekend of motivation and inspiration with Randy Couture.
Last year, Couture — along with former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin and Octagon vixen Rachelle Leah — traveled to Iraq to meet with troops and also offer up some mixed martial arts tips.
According to the article, he has also visited several military hospitals since the war began to meet with wounded soldiers.
Clearly, Couture is using his status as an MMA fighter and quasi-celebrity status to make a difference in the lives of those in need.
That’s not only selfless, but refreshing.
To donate to The Xtreme Couture GI Foundation click here.
***
According to FightNetwork.com, Couture will make an appearance at Local Heroes Bar and Grill in Ottawa Ontario this Thursday, May 17, at 9 p.m. to support “Roger’s House.”
“Roger’s House” is a charity home established in the name of former Ottawa Senators Assistant Coach and cancer victim Roger Neilson, which offers acute end-of-life and transitional care to medically and terminally ill children and their families.
Tickets cost $20 — half of which heads right to the charity — and gets you an autographed Randy Couture picture, as well as the chance to win other prizes.
Is there anything this doesn’t do?
Local Heroes Bar and Grill is located at 1525 Bank Street.
21 Comments »
This is why I love Randy Couture so much. You cant find a better person.
Captain America to the rescue!!!!!
As a vet, I do love this guy, and all the UFC guys who went to Iraq. He’s wrong on one point, lots of “americans” dont support their troops under any circumstances. In Washington, in 03, I had business in town, and saw an anti-war rally at the Mall over Asscrackistan ( not Iraq mind you ), and watched “americans” wipe their feet on my flag. One of that saddest days of my life. It still affects me today, I never ever thought I’d see that again after Septenber 11, 2001.
I am with you MTUFC. I’m not that old, but I remember a time when being disrespectful to the flag or to the President (like him or not) during wartime was unheard of. I expected Americans to stay resolute in their patriotic solidarity after 9/11 … how sad.
Couture is a class act. Respectful in victory, gracious in defeat and just a good human being from all that I have seen. This is a great story.
[quote comment=”55541″]As a vet, I do love this guy, and all the UFC guys who went to Iraq. He’s wrong on one point, lots of “americans” dont support their troops under any circumstances. In Washington, in 03, I had business in town, and saw an anti-war rally at the Mall over Asscrackistan ( not Iraq mind you ), and watched “americans” wipe their feet on my flag. One of that saddest days of my life. It still affects me today, I never ever thought I’d see that again after Septenber 11, 2001.[/quote]
How old are you MTU?
patriotism has faded with the growing weakness of our country
WTF!!!!!
I’ve posted a pic of my receipt twice now!!!!!
WTF!!!!
Ok, anyway, I donated $10. Had a pic up on tinypic for all to see. I challenge each of you to help out. It’s a great cause. What’s ten bucks.
I’m ya’lls senior, as far as I know. I’m 36.
tinypic,com/52ctj00.jpg
Change the comma to a period, of course.
Here, cut and paste it into your browser if anyone doubts me.
[quote comment=”55541″]As a vet, I do love this guy, and all the UFC guys who went to Iraq. He’s wrong on one point, lots of “americans” dont support their troops under any circumstances. In Washington, in 03, I had business in town, and saw an anti-war rally at the Mall over Asscrackistan ( not Iraq mind you ), and watched “americans” wipe their feet on my flag. One of that saddest days of my life. It still affects me today, I never ever thought I’d see that again after Septenber 11, 2001.[/quote]
completely agree
Great example on Couture’s part. Seems sadly like the growing trend is to just hate and bag on everything our country does.
How can anybody not like this guy.He’s the perfect role model.
[quote comment=”55643″]He’s the perfect role model.[/quote]
And that, I completely agree with.
[quote comment=”55560″]WTF!!!!!
I’ve posted a pic of my receipt twice now!!!!!
WTF!!!!
Ok, anyway, I donated $10. Had a pic up on tinypic for all to see. I challenge each of you to help out. It’s a great cause. What’s ten bucks.
I’m ya’lls senior, as far as I know. I’m 36.[/quote]
youngster!
How can a man the mpounds someone for a living be so nice. The man is a saint and a true gentleman.
Rogan said it best. (Paraphrased) The nicest, kindest, most loving all around good guy….and he’s a killer. I pray that our military would one day be allowed to unleash their prowess…….That’s support if you ask me.
[quote post=”2113″]youngster! [/quote]
Thank God I’m not the oldest.
Geezer!
What about the British troops they are dieing out there too
[quote comment=”56153″]What about the British troops they are dieing out there too[/quote]
Yes, they are. And I, for one, am thankful for their sacrifice as well. I served along side many regiments of Her Majesty’s services over the years, and respect them all. Maybe Bisping could do the same thing. His popularity in the UK is one day gonna rival Beckhams.
Randy Coutre for President, he would put this nation in its place!
Once again Randy shows the positive things that can be done with fame and celebrity, as well as demonstrating that he is genuinely a good person. What a great cause. I gave 10 years in our country’s service and have a good idea what a gesture like this (as well as the visit to Iraq) means to our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. I hope the organization is supremely successful and attracts the positive attention it deserves. Oh…and I may be the geezer in this bunch.
I like Randy, he really is a class act. Yet I find myself wondering what he is really trying to do? Does he want to fight the people considered the best in the world or be happy with being the UFC heavyweight champion? I take nothing away from Gonzaga but really, who is he? In the twilight of your career, with time as your enemy, I would think every month and fight is more urgent and important. Does he want to fight Minotauro? Fedor? Revenge any of his more recent losses? Barnett, Rodriguez, Liddell? He said if Tito found a way to win he would come outta retirement to fight Tito, didn’t happen. So he said he knew he could exploit Silvia’s weakness in the cage to pull out his victory, which he did. In my opinion then he ‘knew’ he could beat those men. When will he fight someone he won’t know he can beat? I know you can say Gonzaga but talk about being able to expliot someones lack of experience and what will it ‘mean’ really if he does win. No disrespect intended but after all he has lost 5 out of his last 10 fights. I’m just saying if he’s fighting just to fight, compete and make some money this is fine but if you want to know if you can beat the best in the world right now, times a ticking.