Mark Herzlich Fights Child Trafficking with IJM

From Giants Star to Humanitarian Leader

Former New York Giants linebacker Mark Herzlich arrived in the NFL as a Super Bowl champion, but his impact now stretches far beyond the field. After battling Ewing’s sarcoma in his left femur during college at Boston College, doctors warned he might never walk again. Undeterred, Herzlich not only recovered but turned his personal triumph into a professional career marked by resilience and achievement.

Herzlich now channels that same determination into a full‑time mission with the International Justice Mission (IJM). As Director of Team Freedom, he coordinates more than 100 families of professional athletes, turning their collective influence into actionable change. His journey from a cancer‑ridden freshman to a respected advocate illustrates how personal adversity can reshape purpose.

The Moment That Changed Everything

A Pro Athletes Outreach conference became the catalyst for Herzlich’s new calling. There, he and his wife Danielle heard the harrowing tale of a young Ghanaian man who spent years as a child slave on Lake Volta fishing boats before IJM rescued him. The survivor’s story of freedom and faith struck a chord that reverberated through their lives.

Herzlich later described the pivotal instant in an essay for Sports Spectrum. “I turned and looked at Danielle; she looked back at me. Neither of us said a word, because we did not need to. We both simply knew — this was it. This problem was what the platform had been for all along,” he wrote. That silent acknowledgement marked the turning point that would define his post‑NFL career.

Mobilizing Athletes for Justice

More than a decade after that revelation, Herzlich leads IJM’s Team Freedom initiative, rallying over 100 professional athlete families to the cause. Notable collaborators include NFL stars Hunter Henry and Kirk Cousins, as well as NHL standout Jaccob Slavin, all committed to supporting IJM’s mission. Together they amplify the organization’s work with local authorities to rescue victims and strengthen justice systems worldwide.

The model hinges on athletes using their own platforms responsibly. “Every single one of us has a platform,” Herzlich emphasizes. “The size of it is never the point. The only question that matters is what you choose to do with it. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And so can you.” This philosophy underpins the collaborative effort that now spans multiple sports.

Faith, Purpose, and a Call to Play

Herzlich draws strength from his Christian faith, frequently referencing 2 Corinthians to explain how personal trials fuel his drive to protect the vulnerable. The resilient faith of survivors he assists continues to inspire his relentless advocacy. He believes that collective action, rooted in shared values, can free children and build safer communities across the globe.

Today, he invites fellow athletes and fans to join IJM’s Freedom to Play initiative, which seeks to expand the network of advocates working toward the same goal. By uniting voices and resources, the program aims to turn the promise of freedom into lasting reality for those trapped in exploitation.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Ex-Giants LB Mark Herzlich using NFL platform to fight child trafficking