In a remarkable act of compassion and commitment to social impact, Tyler Shough, quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, has announced a personal investment of $5.6 million to convert a historic Uptown New Orleans property into a full-service school for homeless youth. This unprecedented move comes just months after Shough signed with the Saints and has already made waves not only in the sports world but across the broader New Orleans community.
The initiative, dubbed “Second Chance Academy,” is designed to serve youth between the ages of 12 and 18 who are experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or foster care displacement. The restored property, a 19th-century mansion previously slated for commercial redevelopment, will soon become a hub for hope, education, and opportunity.
In a statement released this morning, Shough said, “This city gave me a chance to live my dream. Now, I want to give others the same chance—especially the kids who’ve been dealt a rough hand. Education is the one thing that no one can ever take away from you.”
The school will feature small class sizes, trauma-informed counseling, and a tailored curriculum that emphasizes life skills alongside academics. In addition to standard classroom instruction, students will receive mentorship, job readiness training, meals, and safe sleeping accommodations. The program will be tuition-free and funded in part by a trust Shough has set up, along with anticipated contributions from philanthropic partners and private donors.
According to sources close to the project, the idea came to Shough after he visited a local shelter during the offseason and was moved by conversations with homeless teens who expressed feelings of abandonment and hopelessness. “He walked out of that building different,” said Saints wide receiver Chris Olave. “You could tell something shifted in him. He didn’t just want to donate money—he wanted to change lives.”
City officials have praised the initiative, calling it a potential model for athlete-led philanthropy. Mayor LaToya Cantrell commented, “Tyler Shough is not just playing for New Orleans—he’s building it up. His investment goes beyond dollars; it’s about dignity and long-term transformation.”
Construction is set to begin in early fall, with a goal of opening the academy’s doors by the next academic year. The school will initially serve 50 students, with plans to expand enrollment in future years. It will be operated in partnership with local education nonprofits and mental health organizations.
Shough’s bold move signals a growing trend of socially conscious athletes using their platforms and paychecks to tackle systemic issues. But for Shough, this is personal. “I was fortunate to have stability growing up,” he said. “If I can offer even a piece of that to someone who’s never known it, then every snap, every injury, every moment on the field—it’s all worth it.”
As construction begins, the New Orleans community and Saints fans alike are rallying behind Shough—not just as a quarterback, but as a catalyst for change.
