Three years ago, Penn State tight end Jesse James started something Scott Shirley is abundantly proud of, something that has grown in size and reach thanks in large part to fellow Nittany Lions.
Shirley — a former Penn State football player himself who helped found Uplifting Athletes in 2003 and is now the organization’s executive director — said 37 players from across the country took part and raised money for rare disease research at the Combine in Indianapolis.
Four of those players were Penn Staters: tight end Mike Gesicki, linebacker Jason Cabinda, cornerback Grant Haley and safety Troy Apke.