ND football players take time off the field to give back to South Bend

SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- Irish Around the Bend, the Fighting Irish football team's community service program took a trip to South Bend's Center for the Homeless Monday to donate money and some of their time to those who are less fortunate.

 “We raised over $4,700 we were able to donate, which was really fun, and it was a pretty impactful experience,” Irish tight end Troy Niklas said.

The players teamed up with the Kelly Cares Foundation to serve a meal and donate gift bags to more than 200 guests at the shelter.

One of the players spearheaded the event.

“Troy took the lead on it and it was really fun to watch him grow as kind of young guy in the program who’s kind of goofy and zany to one who really took this and it was inspirational for him," Irish Head Coach Brian Kelly said.

Niklas, a junior from California, said he and his teammates got a chance to give back to South Bend off the football field

“They say you get what you give and certainly I think a lot of our guys and me included, got back more than we gave,” Niklas said.

Niklas singlehandedly raised nearly $1,700 by asking professors and coaches if they could make a donation to the Center for the Homless.