NY Giants Raise Money for Mahwah Grad

The New York Giants appeared at the Wyckoff YMCA Wednesday evening at a benefit for resident Frank Chamberlin, a New Jersey native and former NFL linebacker battling cancer.

Chamberlin, a Mahwah High School graduate, played for five years in the NFL before being diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma, a rare form of brain cancer. Drafted by the Tennessee Titans out of Boston College in 2002, he went on to play for the Cincinnati Bengals and Houston Texans.

Brian Saxton, a former Giant and Boston College alum, reached out to the YMCA about two months ago to organize the fundraiser, and his connections with the NFL team helped to arrange the appearance of the football stars Wednesday.

"There's a bond," Saxton said. "Frank grew up in New Jersey, played for Boston College and played in the NFL. We have a lot of commonalities."

Fans came out for a meet and greet at the Y with Coach Tom Coughlin as well as players David Wilson, Cory Webster, Chris Snee, Mark Herzlich, and former player Harry Carlson, with the proceeds benefiting the Chamberlin family.

For Herzlich, the cause hits close to home. A former Boston College player himself, Herzlich overcame cancer prior to his start with the Giants, and the charity event struck a personal chord even without having met Chamberlin.

"I was diagnosed with cancer, so I know what it feels like to have your self ripped away from you," Herzlich said. "When I was diagnosed, the community support was huge."

Kris Pepper, a spokesperson for the Y, said that Saxton reached out to them for the event because of the unique resources the organization has available.

"He knows we have the facilities and the people to get this thing off the ground," she said.

The proceeds, Pepper said, will go directly to the Chamberlin family, through the Y's Pietro Maugeri fund, a charity dedicated to assisting the families of those struggling with critical illnesses. She estimated that Wednesday's event would raise upwards of $25,000 for the cause.

"I'm humbled by the community's support," Saxton said. "Any time a group of people can come together for a greater cause, I think it says a lot about the human spirit."

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