Chicago Bears rookie Colston Loveland hosts charity golf tournament for Special Olympics Idaho

BUHL, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Chicago Bears rookie Colston Loveland returned home Saturday to host a sold-out golf tournament with proceeds benefiting Special Olympics Idaho.

“I think, you know, anything with inclusion and being able to, you know, help these kids live out their dreams, and people live out their dreams, I think that means a lot. And that’s really my main goal,” Loveland said.

Kristi Kraft, Special Olympics Idaho CEO, said the support from Loveland is meaningful to the organization.

“It means so much to our athletes and to our program to think of somebody who’s able to do so much with his career and his life, but to remember that, you know, there’s people at home that matter,” Kraft said.

The tournament drew 120 golfers and sold out in 10 minutes. Kraft said the funds will support programming needs, including health screenings for athletes.

“It means so much to our programs and it’s been a little bit of a more difficult time for some of our programming with some of our folks needing health screenings and we’re able to provide that and charity tournaments like this make that possible,” Kraft said.

Jeff Greene, a Special Olympics athlete, said Loveland’s support means everything to him. Loveland is Greene’s favorite NFL player, and Loveland considers Greene family.

“He is a real amazing guy. I saw him last night. I was so excited. I got a jersey. I went to the Bears now….Every time I see him running touchdowns, I just go, yay!” Greene said.

Loveland said the athletes inspire him.

“I think, you know, being looked at a certain way and, you know, not the norm or society’s norm or whatever, I think that’s taxing. They got so many odds stacked against them and they’re going out here, they’re waking up, they’re grinding and doing what they love each and every day. I think that just gives me so much motivation knowing that on a hard day when I think, you know, man, I don’t really want to do this, just thinking back to that, like these guys are doing it. So, you know, get up out of the bed and go get it done,” Loveland said.

Loveland said he wants to show appreciation for the community that supported him.

“I think it’s just such a great community. And, really, as a state, you know, so many good people that have done a lot for me and were a big reason why I’m here. So, I got to give thanks and I got to show love always. And Idaho doesn’t get as much love as it should,” Loveland said.

Which is why he’s made it a focal point to pour back into his community.

“It will always come back around, and you’ll feel better because of it. It’s what I was raised to do. It’s what my family does. It’s what the community does, and I think it’s just how you’re supposed to live,” Loveland said.