After Bradley Bozeman became the football field’s version of Batman – meting out vigilante justice by pinning Saints defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd to the turf after a dangerous takedown of quarterback Justin Herbert – the wife of Chargers center Nikki Bozeman returned home Sunday night from SoFi Stadium hoping the reaction would remain simply in favor of the family.

With the help of the Chargers, the situation has improved further.

After the Chargers used Bozeman’s viral moment of vigilante justice to share information about the Bradley and Nikki Bozeman Foundation on social networks, more than 150 fans donated to the charity efforts to combat food insecurity and combat harassment. With numerous donations of $10 for No. 10 or $75 for No. 75, the foundation quickly raised more than $3,700.

“It was really something that was just a sporting moment, and then it turned into something really cool to help our foundation,” Nikki said.

Nikki and Bradley received messages thanking him for defending Herbert in a room the center called “one of the dirtiest” he had seen.

Herbert had already shoveled the ball to running back JK Dobbins when Shepherd awkwardly twisted the quarterback’s right ankle to pull him to the ground.

Bozeman lunged at Shepherd to push him away from Herbert in a retaliatory action. Fox play-by-play announcer Chris Myers noted that it could be seen as an unofficial continuation of the Bozemans’ anti-bullying campaign.

The couple initially created their foundation to raise awareness among children about the dangers of bullying. Bradley, a two-time national champion at Alabama, and Nikki, a forward on the Crimson Tide basketball team, began by canvassing schools near Tuscaloosa. Soon they were invited to speak at schools across the state. After Bradley was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens, the speaking engagements evolved into a cross-country RV trip that brought together 20 schools in 18 states before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hearing feedback from children during the pandemic, the Bozemans turned their attention to food insecurity, partnering with food banks to package boxes of snacks that are distributed by police officers to children in low-income neighborhoods. With the program already underway in Baltimore and Charlotte, North Carolina, the Bradley and Nikki Bozeman Foundation has distributed 3.5 million meals.

After the seven-year pro signed with the Chargers this offseason, the Bozemans began working with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to finalize plans to expand the SYNC snack box program – serving your neighbors and in your community – in Los Angeles. Nikki’s intention is to ensure that “the hardest hit zip codes” will be first on the list.

In addition to financial contributions, the foundation is looking for volunteers who can help prepare the boxes. Volunteers can register via the contact page on the foundation’s website.

Herbert (10) thanks Bozeman (75) after the center came to his aid.

(Ryan Sun/Associated Press)

Chargers players and staff, including coach Jim Harbaughvolunteered in Charlotte at the start of the season. With about 50 people from the Chargers in attendance, the group set a record with 1,000 boxes packed in 26 minutes.

“The fact that you’re coming for two hours is exponentially more than you could give us financially,” Nikki said. “You come and help and be the boots on the ground and having that experience with us to be able to change our community is so exponentially (more) helpful to us than anything else.”

The couple, who got engaged after Alabama’s 2018 national football championship when Bradley proposed amid a shower of confetti on the field, have long been involved in community service.

Nikki, a 6-foot-1 forward whose 88 career blocks ranked sixth in Alabama history when she graduated in 2016, was a candidate for the Senior CLASS award and nominated for the team Allstate WBCA Good Works, which honors athletes who have demonstrated dedication to service. in their communities.

Bradley is a three-time nominee for Walter Payton Man of the Year, winning the honor twice in Baltimore and once in Carolina.

Considering Bradley’s awesome nature, Nikki was shocked to see him react the way he did on Sunday. She had only seen this side of her husband once: when another man wouldn’t leave her alone in a bar. Bradley pushed him against the wall.

“Coming from Bradley, someone for whom this is not their benchmark, this is not their normal, you definitely know something bad happened,” Nikki said.

Bozeman told Nikki that he saw Shepherd look toward Herbert’s right ankle, which the quarterback injured in Week 2, before continuing to twist Herbert’s leg while pulling him to the ground . Fox rules analyst Mike Pereira called the transgression “vicious” during the telecast.

After seeing the criticism of the play, Saints coach Dennis Allen said he disagreed.

“I think that’s not accurate,” he told reporters Monday. “Here’s a guy trying to close out the quarterback. He’s on the ground. He doesn’t know if the quarterback has the ball or not. He’s just trying to knock the quarterback to the ground. There was nothing malicious about this piece. He’s a guy who’s trying to make the play.”

Compensatory penalties negated a first down for the Chargers, but galvanized the team on its first touchdown of the game, a 15-play, 90-yard march that ended with a 1-yard run by Dobbins.

Harbaugh later said in the locker room that everyone deserved a game ball for the game-winning effort, but singled out about a half-dozen players, including Herbert, rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey and punter JK Scott.

Bozeman received the loudest cheers.

DJ Chark Jr. nears return

Wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (groin) was limited in practice Wednesday, but said if he continues on his current trajectory, he might be able to make his long-awaited season debut against the Browns. Cleveland on Sunday.

The receiver is in the final week of his 21-day window to return after being activated from injured reserve on October 16.

The Chargers would love to finally have wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. in the lineup.

(Gregory Bull/Associated Press)

The Chargers have until Nov. 4 to elevate Chark to the active roster or place him on season-ending injured reserve.

With Quentin Johnston (ankle) and Derius Davis (hamstring) returning to practice in limited capacity Wednesday after missing two games, Chark believed the receiving group could soon take the field together as planned.

“I’m looking forward to playing with my guys,” Chark said. “I love these guys, they are great teammates. I’m just excited to come in, do everything I can – no more, no less – and help the team win.

Etc.

Tight ends Will Dissly (shoulder) and Stone Smartt (ankle), cornerback Kristian Fulton (hamstring) and linebacker Denzel Perryman (toe) did not practice Wednesday. …outside linebacker Joey Bosa (hip) was limited after playing 19 snaps against the Saints in his first appearance since Week 3.