He's disruptive on the football field but Anthony Lanier II wants to enhance people's lives off it.
Eight years ago, the Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman began Undefeated Warrior: The Anthony Lanier II Foundation in his hometown of Savannah, Ga. The non-profit program supports community-based organizations to promote education, good health, character development and values with the goal of helping people reach their full potential.
“We have a tight-knit community where every child is raised by the community," Lanier said during a telephone interview. "We live by the saying, 'It takes a village to raise a child.'
"When I was growing up, I had adults who watched over me and who I learned the most from as far as the character I have. My community really grabbed hold of me, from my grandfather to the city . . . it's about giving back."
It's a lesson Lanier learned early. His grandfather was involved with Operation Clean Sweep, which provided property maintenance for the elderly as well as community cleaning.
"We went around to the elderly, cutting their grass and picking up around the community," he said. "My grandfather was very big on that with me . . . it's how I was taught and shown to be a man.
"I started branching out more during my football career, using what people taught and instilled in me to reach out to others less fortunate or who just need some guidance."
Now, the towering six-foot-six, 285-pound Lanier wants to expand the foundation into Canada. He can be reached at the foundation's website (www.undefeatedwarrior.org) or via social media (anthonymlanier2_72 on Instagram; Anthony Hardwork Lanier II at Facebook; @Tspoon90 on Twitter; @anthonymlanier2 on Tik Tok).
"I love children," Lanier said. "I have two of my own, my mom is a teacher so I was bred to love people and children.
"I don't know what God has in store for me but I do know I'm here for a reason; to positively impact the youth of my community."
Lanier's foundation began with football camps and classes providing potential occupations for youth. It has since grown to include golf fundraisers, turkey giveaways (which began due to the global pandemic) and an assortment of community-building functions.
In November 2020, Lanier received a key to the city of Savannah and a proclamation of an Anthony Lanier II Day. He plans to begin a fashion line, the proceeds going to his foundation.
"We grew up with the Superman emblem and everyone loves Superman but he's a fictional character," Lanier said. "I'm not saying I'm Superman but I want to give people something to look at and say, 'Hey, this logo means I can be someone. This is a person who did it before I did and he didn't give up. What can I do if I don't give up?'"
Lanier began the foundation in 2016 during his rookie season with the NFL's Washington Commanders. He made the team as an undrafted free agent out of Alabama A&M University.
Lanier spent five NFL seasons with Washington (2016-18), the L.A. Chargers (2018-20), Kansas City Chiefs (2020) and New Orleans Saints (2020). He appeared in 15 games with the Commanders, including 11 in 2017 (starting two), registering five sacks, 14 tackles (11 solo, five for a loss), one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
He came to Saskatchewan in 2021. Last year, Lanier had eight sacks, 19 tackles (four for a loss), two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 11 games before signing a one-year, guaranteed $250,000 extension that made him the CFL's highest-paid defensive player.
"Anthony's abilities on the football field are well documented," said Kenny Kim of Summit Athletes, Lanier's Florida-based agent. "But the time and effort he puts into his community and foundation are what I'm most proud of.
"Anthony is a giant on the field but has an even bigger heart off it."
Lanier is entering his eighth pro season but had his share of doubters.
"I wasn't the smartest person in the world, I wasn't the most attentive, I wasn't even the best athlete," Lanier said. "But every time someone told me I couldn't do something, it killed me a little inside but it also increased my drive and the power God placed within in me to keep going after those things.
"I want to be set as a standard for people to make them shoot higher. I really take pride in helping people grow and at the same time I grow with them . . . to show them it's possible."
Lanier said he's seen the power and resiliency of youth while in Saskatchewan. During his first year there, he participated in a football camp where many youngsters struggled during drills.
The following year, many returned and Lanier was pleasantly surprised by their progress.
"That first year we had kids who were literally in tears doing the drills," he said. "But last year, seeing those kids return and kill the bags and scream and yell and have the same enthusiasm you put into it, that's what drives me.
"When I see the smiles and they're barking at me like a dog because I bark when I come out of the tunnel, showing me love and that they can do those things, that's a life highlight you can't match."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 14, 2023.
Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
