DeAngelo Williams: Former NFL Star Has Paid for More Than 500 Mammograms in Honor of Late Mom

The former Pittsburgh Steelers running back, DeAngelo Williams, is doing his part if fighting breast cancer. After losing his mother and aunts to the disease, Williams has dedicated himself to fighting for the women who don't have the means of prevention.

The NFL star entered the social cause after he lost his mother to breast cancer in 2014. His first step was the formation of the DeAngelo Williams Foundation.

The star has since helped numerous women who are unable to seek preventive care due to financial or regional hindrances. "Today" reports that Williams lost four of his aunts to breast cancer before the age of fifty.

WILLIAMS POSTED A PSA FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

To mark the start of breast cancer awareness month in 2015, Williams posted a public service announcement in support of all the women who are battling breast cancer.

"This is dedicated to my mom, my aunts & women everywhere affected by Breast Cancer. I love you. #WeAreInThisTogether"

Following the foundation of his non-profit organization, Williams has helped numerous women fight breast cancer and avoid it as much as possible.

WILLIAMS' ORGANIZATION UP IN SUPPORT OF WOMEN

The DeAngelo Williams Foundation, which was founded to "develop and seek initiatives to support the eradication of breast cancer through preventative care and research," started with the "53 strong for Sandra" screening event.

The screening event was named after his mother and brought into operation a mobile mammography unit to under-insured or uninsured women in South Carolina.

THE FOUNDATION IS SPONSORING MAMMOGRAMS

After the screening event in 2015, the organization started sponsoring mammograms. Since the massive step, the organization has sponsored more than 500 mammograms, according to an article by "Today."

The official Facebook page for the foundation also shared the article and mentioned that they had "no plans of stopping." The publication reported that the mammogram screenings were done in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Memphis, Tennessee; Jonesboro, Arkansas; and Charlotte, North Carolina.

WILLIAMS PUSHED FOR CANCER AWARENESS SINCE 2009

Williams was the front runner for breast cancer awareness month in 2009 when he pushed for the NFL players to wear pink cleats throughout October, Breast Cancer Awareness month.

The stadiums were adorned with pink cleats, pom-poms, and pink headphones throughout the month. Later in 2015, when Williams asked for permission to wear pink throughout the year, the league declined his request.

WILLIAMS PROTESTED THE DECLINE OF HIS REQUEST

Following the dismissal of his proposal, the then NFL star took to social media in protest. Sports writer and Television analyst Adam Schefter posted a picture of Williams' daughters protesting the rejection on Twitter:

"NFL declined DeAngelo Williams' request to wear pink beyond October, but his daughters having none of it."

The two girls held up signs that said, "We wear pink because our daddy is not allowed," and "The NFL cannot fine us." Williams dyed the ends of his long hair pink and even colored his nails. The star talked to "ESPN" and said that it's not about a month for him but a lifestyle and about getting women to recognize and get tested.