The last two seasons have felt different in the Kansas City Chiefs' locker room, especially after one of the key heroes of their dynasty was traded away to Tennessee. L'Jarius Sneed, once a stout secondary leader for Steve Spagnuolo, made Kansas City extremely happy from 2020 through 2023, but off the field he has been making his home state of Louisiana smarter, stronger, and happier.
After signing a one-year deal worth a maximum of $5 million, Sneed is trying to prove he can still play at an All-Pro level after a rough time away from Kansas City. But his charity organization, Sneed Reach 1 Foundation, doesn't need to prove anything, as it has been helping youth since its inception just over two years ago.
Growing up in Minden
Sneed has been through much in his short life before entering the NFL in 2020 after Kansas City took him in the fourth round out of Louisiana Tech. His hometown of Minden, Louisiana, is very rural while still acting as a core suburb of Shreveport, and now Sneed has aimed his off-the-field focus on the countless rural areas across the Pelican State.
His foundation, which held an event in Minden just within the past two weeks, aims to help youth through high school by providing mentorship and using events to develop leadership skills that help them protect their future—a phrase that seemingly acts as the charity's slogan.
By "Protecting the Future," Sneed Reach 1 Foundation means it is using its programs to help children "navigate difficult environments," as well as teach them how to make the best choices that affect their long-term success. Sneed shows up at multiple community events every year and helps with workshops that encourage youth to talk about their mental health, personal development, and so much more.
Minden is lucky to have Sneed representing the community, as well as the state of Louisiana, and they seem to have a lifelong relationship with the standout cornerback that is beneficial to so many children growing up in tough situations or secluded from large population centers that can provide additional opportunities.
Camps, summits, scholarships and more
Sneed Reach 1 Foundation truly does quite a bit for the youth of Louisiana, but what's amazing is all the ways that Sneed is able to do so.
There are obviously events like the one he recently appeared at, where he and the leaders of the foundation talk to kids ages 8-15, teaching them leadership qualities, conflict-resolution strategies, and helping them grow mentally while preparing as best they can for their futures.
Outside of those types of events, Sneed is busy in the offseason putting together football camps that help teach skills on and off the field that have made Sneed so successful before turning 30 later this season. At those camps, some of which host more than 300 kids in a single day, Sneed is present in more ways than one with his constant motivational speeches, his coaching, and the lessons his foundation helps teach on the sidelines.
On top of all the football camps, youth days, leadership classes, "IRL events," and Stay Ready Summits, the Sneed Reach 1 Foundation also gives away annual scholarships supporting high school and college students from communities in and around Minden, Louisiana.
Sneed's not done yet
Even when Sneed had Minden and Louisiana on his mind, he did what he could to help his new home in Kansas City before being traded two years ago. He did so in many ways, but most notably, he partnered with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City branch as a spokesperson when he was entering only his second season as a Chief.
Along with helping Big Brothers Big Sisters and its Dreambuilders events, he also collaborated with the one-and-only Zarda BBQ back in 2023, raising more than $17,000. The KC Takeaway BBQ Sandwich helped bring Sneed's grand total raised to more than $35,000 in just two years as a spokesperson for the Kansas City branch.
The two-time Super Bowl champion and his foundation truly embody their mission statement: "Supporting youth through consistent presence, strong partnerships, and safe spaces"—with everything they do year-round, not just during the offseason.
Now that the pivotal player is back playing under the lights at Arrowhead after a brief excursion to Tennessee, it is likely that he will continue to bring good fortune to Kansas City both on and off the field.
If you'd like to help Sneed and his Sneed Reach 1 Foundation, there are many ways to do so, but donating is always the easiest and quickest way to assist the youth that No. 38 has helped for years now.
Sneed is only one of many Chiefs players with their own charitable organization, many of whom have already been covered in previous Chiefs Charity Spotlight editions:
- Harrison Butker Family Foundation - Harrison Butker
- 87 & Running - Travis Kelce
- The Derrick Nnadi Foundation - Derrick Nnadi
- JReid InDeed Foundation - Justin Reid
- Mahomes' 15 & the Mahomies - Patrick Mahomes
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