In an extraordinary act of philanthropy, Giants star Rafael Devers and his wife, Rossy, have wiped out over $667,000 in unpaid school lunch debt, benefiting thousands of children across the country. Devers called the act “a victory greater than the World Series,” emphasizing that “no child should have to learn on an empty stomach.”
SAN FRANCISCO — In a move that is sending “emotional shockwaves” through the sports world, San Francisco Giants star Rafael Devers and his wife, Rossy Devers, have personally paid off $667,000 in school lunch debt for 103 schools across the country.
The “life-changing” donation, which was made quietly through their foundation, will immediately erase the negative balances for thousands of families, ensuring no child is denied a hot meal at school due to unpaid fees.
When the news became public on Monday, the MLB legend released a powerful and “heartfelt” statement, framing the act not as charity, but as a “fundamental responsibility.”
“A Victory Greater Than the World Series”
For Devers, a player who has reached the pinnacle of his sport, this “off-field” moment holds a more profound meaning.
“We are blessed to play a game, but the reality is that many children wake up hungry. That is not a game,” Devers said in his statement. “Giving a child a meal so they can learn is a victory greater than the World Series. No child should ever have to learn on an empty stomach. No family should have to carry the shame of that debt.”
The $667,000 figure was not random. According to a representative for the family, it was the result of a “months-long effort” to identify and contact 103 different school districts in high-need areas, from his former home in New England to his new one in the Bay Area.
A “Silent” Act of Compassion
The baseball world has “erupted” in support of the Devers family. This act of “extraordinary compassion” highlights a “growing crisis” of school lunch debt in America, which often forces children to receive “alternative” (and less nutritious) meals or be “shamed” at the register.
The Devers family’s donation not only solves the problem for these 103 schools but has also “sparked” a national conversation, with fan-led donation drives already popping up in other cities.
While Devers is known for his “MVP-caliber” talent on the field, this “silent” act of kindness has cemented his legacy as a “true hero” off of it.
