Falcons Free Agent Signee Jessie Bates III to Donate Part of Contract to Charity
The Atlanta Falcons have officially announced the signing of former Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III.
A former second-team All-Pro, Bates is expected to make $64.02 million over four years ... and he already has a good idea of how he's going to spend some of that money.
On behalf of his "JB3 Single Mothers Initiative," Bates told reporters Thursday that he will be donating $1 million to single moms and organizations around Atlanta.
For Bates, it's a personal matter - and something "very special" to both he and his mother, Theresa.
"I've been raised by a single mom," Bates told Fox 5. "And you're blessed to be able to live your dream and make a little bit of money, impact your family, but I think it says a lot about trying to impact other families, similar families that I can relate to."
The donation also "says a lot" about Bates' character, which has flown under the radar by most during the free agency period but is essential to the culture being built by general manager Terry Fontenot and coach Arthur Smith.
On the field, the 6-0, 201-pound Bates is coming off a strong year in which he logged 71 tackles, eight passes defended and four interceptions.
Now, he's set to be a focal point on an ascending Falcons defense - and is already off to a fast start in the community.
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