Jamaal Charles is a retired National Football League (NFL) running back. Jamaal Charles was a perennial All-Pro and Pro-Bowl running back who played for the Kansas City Chiefs (2008 – 2016) and Denver Broncos (2017). Jamaal excelled as a child in sports getting his first introduction to sports as a Special Olympics Athlete and then as a teenager. He became an All-American high school football player and track athlete. At Port Arthur Memorial High School, he rushed for over 4,000 yards and had 50 touchdowns in his final two seasons. Jamaal attended the University of Texas where he was a standout running back and won a NCAA National Championship on the 2005 team. His college career led him to becoming a 3rd Round Draft Pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2008 NFL Draft. Jamaal is currently the Chiefs all-time career leader in rushing yards, a four-time Team MVP, and is widely considered one of the best players in the NFL. Further, Jamaal is the NFL's all-time career leader in yards per carry with a 5.4 average, ranking ahead of all-time greats Jim Brown (5.2) and Barry Sanders (5.0).
Jamaal was in the third grade when he discovered that he had a learning disability. Through his special education classes Jamaal went on field trips to Special Olympics events, then ultimately competed, and thrived in track and field. His involvement with Special Olympics continues to this day as he serves as a Global Ambassador for the movement.
Engagement:
In 2015, Jamaal was recognized as a Special Olympics Global Ambassador at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, CA. Since 2015, Jamaal continues to support and promote Special Olympics. He supports Special Olympics Texas and Kansas by attending fundraising events and holding football clinics for local Special Olympics athletes. Jamaal also attended Special Olympics World Summer Games Abu Dhabi 2019.
He recently was highlighted in ESPN’s 50 original features of individuals making a huge impact for the Special Olympics movement. Watch Jamaal tell his story on ESPN and The Player’s Tribune.
Global Ambassadors
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Alia Atkinson
Olympic Swimmer, Commander of the Order of Distinction -
Andre Drummond
NBA All-Star & Rebound Champion, Philadelphia 76ers -
Avril Lavigne
Musician & Philanthropist -
Robert "Bob" Beamon
Olympic Champion, Long Jump -
Charles Melton
Actor -
Chris Nikic
Special Olympics Triathlete/Motivational Speaker -
Dale Moss
Former National Football League Player -
Dalton Risner
NFL Player, Minnesota Vikings, Offensive Guard -
Damian Lillard
NBA All Star, Portland Trailblazers -
Devin Booker
NBA All-Star, Phoenix Suns -
Didier Drogba
Legendary Professional Football (Soccer) Player -
Drew McIntyre
WWE Superstar, (World Wrestling Entertainment) WWE -
Eddie Barbanell
Actor & Comedian -
Elena Delle Donne
Olympic Champion, Basketball, WNBA Legend -
Erika Ender
Singer/Songwriter, TV Celebrity, Producer and Actress -
Gabriela (Gaby) Dabrowski
Professional Tennis Player, Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) -
Hannah Teter
Olympic Champion, Snowboarder -
Hidetoshi Nakata
Former Professional Footballer, ACCA Inc -
Hussein Fahmy
Egyptian Actor -
Ibtihaj Muhammad
Olympic Champion, Fencing -
In-Kyung Kim
Professional Golfer -
Jamaal Charles
Former Football Player at National Football League (NFL) & All Pro Runningback -
Joe Haden
Former NFL Player & All Pro Defensive Back -
John C. McGinley
Actor & Advocate -
Julen Lopetegui
Legendary Soccer Goaltender & current Manager of FC Sevilla -
Katherine Schwarzenegger and Chris Pratt
New York Times Bestselling Author | Actor, Producer -
Lauren Potter
Actor & Advocate -
Li Na
Former Professional Tennis Player, two time grand slam champion, The first Chinese member of the ITHF -
Lily D Moore
Actress and Model -
Mack Hollins
NFL Player, New England Patriots Wide Receiver -
Maureen McCormick
Actress, Designer, Singer, NY Times Bestselling Author -
Michael Phelps
Olympic Champion, Swimming -
Nadia Comaneci
Olympic Champion, Gymnastics, Perfect 10 Production, Inc., Special Olympics Global Ambassador -
Nicole Scherzinger
International Recording Artist & Television Personality -
Nigel Barker
Fashion Photographer, TV Personality, Producer/Filmmaker -
Padraig Harrington
Professional Golfer -
Sam Perkins
Olympic Champion, Basketball & NBA Legend -
Dr. Seun Adigun
Summer & Winter Olympian Hurdles and Bobsledding -
Tristan Thompson
NBA Champion, Cleveland Cavaliers -
Victoria Arlen
ESPN SportsCenter Host -
Vladimir 'Vanja' Grbic
Olympic Medalist, Volleyball -
Yang Yang
Olympic Champion, Speed Skating -
Yao Ming
NBA All Star & FIBA Hall of Famer and Central Board Member -
Zhou Xun
Actress, Singer & Philanthropic Environmentalist -
Zou Shiming
Olympic Champion, Boxing -
View All
As icons of success from diverse industries such as sports, music, entertainment, media, and beyond, Special Olympics Global Ambassadors generously lend their time, talent, and resources to support the Special Olympics mission. They are inspirational role models who share a belief in the power to come together, break down barriers, and foster a world of inclusion while supporting Special Olympics’ expansion of sports, health, youth, and education programs.
