It’s easy to get caught up in the games. Sports are a beautiful thing. It’s an even more beautiful thing when athletes give back. We’re talking about professional athletes, who are living a dream, but also helping others. Fortunately, these people get recognized to a certain degree but probably not enough.

The fact of the matter is there are a ton of athletes out there who make a ton of money. More money than a man needs, and they don’t do anything to help others. The good news is there are a ton of athletes that do help others.

Here are the biggest and best….

5. The Mario Lemieux Foundation

The Hall of Fame Hockey player once battled Hodgkins Disease. He’s been cancer free for 18 years, and his charity has been busy ever since. His charity has raised and donated over $10 million to help develop patient care centers, fund research, and help children with cancer. 66 has done well.

4. The Andre Agassi Foundation

With it’s mission aimed at educating underprivileged children, the Andre Agassi foundation has raised over $150 million. Andre’s foundation is one of the leaders in giving children hope through education.

3. The Jackie Robinson Foundation

The Jackie Robinson Foundation was founded after he died, but we are going to overlook that fact because of the immense amount of good it has done over the past 30 years. The JRF has raised millions and millions of dollars in scholarship money, and has enlisted tons of big sponsors to help special young people who need financial aid.

2. The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation

This is my personal favorite. I love what Mutombo has done for the children and people of Africa. He’s raised millions and millions of dollars for hospitals, immunizations, and education. Go to his homepage linked above and take a look. Truly amazing work.

1. The Lance Armstrong Foundation

I think we can put the doping allegations aside and appreciate the fact that Lance Armstrong, a cancer survivor, has a foundation that has raised close to $400 million for cancer. A small yellow bracelet did it all.