NFL star Ezekiel Ansah launches foundation at emotional ceremony

It was a rare moment of emotion for Ghanaian-born American football defensive end, Ezekiel Nana "Ziggy" Ansah yesterday when he broke down in tears after a tribute to his mother at the launch of his foundation on March 7 in Accra.

Ansah, more famous for his crunchy tackles on running backs and quarter-backs in the American National Football League (NFL) showed a much softer side when he addressed a gathering of family, friends, sports administrators as well as students from his alma mater (Presbyterian Boys' Senior High School) during a eulogy to his mother, Elizabeth Ansah in Accra.

In between intermittent pauses to steady himself, the 27-year-old described Madame Ansah as his motivation for setting-up the Ezekiel Ansah Foundation because of the love and care she showed towards everyone.

He said, "Growing up in Accra with my family was all about love and unity, I was fortunate to have loving people around to shape me.

"Family and good friends, hence one of the focuses of the foundation will be the Childern's Ward at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital where we will provide resources that will enable the staff to do their jobs properly and also to put a smile of the faces of children.

"My mother, Elizabeth Ansah... worked for about 31 years as a nurse and she has inspired this promise," Ansah said as tears run down his cheeks.

Ansah, 27, also announced that the foundation will hold the first of what will be an annual camp known as the Ezekiel Ansah Football Camp in July which will support students in the field of physical education, sports as well as scout and provide scholarship schemes to exceptional students who excel in sports.

A representative from the Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr Emmanuel Owusu Ansah who officially launched the EAF, assured Ansah of the support of the government in his bid to introduce American football in the country.

The Ezekiel Ansah Foundation is a charitable, voluntary, humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organization.

On May 10, 2013, Ansah signed a four-year, $18.59 million contract with a signing bonus of $11.90 million with the NFL team, Detroit Lions.

Watch Ezekiel Ansah in NFL action below;