Boise State Punter James Ferguson-Reynolds Pledges $20 Per Punt Inside the 20 to Breast Cancer Awareness
By Simon Carroll
Boise State got their season underway in thrilling fashion on Saturday, taking down Georgia Southern in a 45-56 shootout in Statesboro. But earlier in the week, the Broncos’ punter James Ferguson-Reynolds was focusing on another cause; pledging to help a local cancer awareness organization with his performance on the field.
Entering his third season for Boise, Ferguson-Reynolds has become one of the best punters in all of college football, named to no less than six different preseason All-American teams ahead of the 2024 campaign. Last season, he set a team record by averaging 49.7 yards per punt – the best in the nation at his position. And ‘JFR’ has decided to use the power in his right boot to tackle an off the field opponent – breast cancer.
Teaming up with ‘Flock Cancer Idaho’, Ferguson-Reynolds has pledged to donate money to the non-profit organization for every punt he’s able to land in the redzone – announcing the move across his social media channels:
“G’day Bronco Nation, I’m donating $20 towards breast cancer awareness for every punt I land inside the 20 this season. This is something close to my heart, and if you’d like to donate hit the link in my bio. Go Broncos!”
Big Cause, Big Leg
G’day Bronco Nation,
— James Ferguson (@JamesFergusonR) August 28, 2024
I’m donating $20 towards breast cancer awareness for every punt I land inside the 20 this season. This is something close to my heart, and if you’d like to donate hit the link in my bio. Go Broncos! pic.twitter.com/vjbazXg8O3
Established in 2021 by breast cancer survivors Leslie Scantling and Barbara Rhoades, Flock Cancer Idaho’s mission is to honor breast cancer survivors, caregivers, and their families, and to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer. Flock Cancer Idaho’s annual event, the Flock Cancer Street Stroll, takes place on Harrison Boulevard in Boise, Idaho – just ten minute’s drive away from Albertsons Stadium – the first of which raised more than $25,000 for the Oncology Recovery Program at the local YMCA.
The organization’s stated goal is to help fund the YMCA so that the recovery program is available to every cancer fighter and survivor at no cost. Ferguson-Reynolds’ pledge will go a long way to helping Flock Cancer Idaho achieve that goal – for context, last season he dropped 23 punts inside the 20 (and a further 20 as a freshman). Considering how accurate he is, I really hope James has a healthy NIL deal in place to help with this commitment; Ferguson-Reynolds is the definition of a Coffin Corner Punter.
The social media post announcing the pledge has gone viral, with numerous replies offering to match Ferguson-Reynolds for this cause – an incredible gesture from the Broncos fanbase. Saturday’s contest will have allowed everyone involved to ease their way into the campaign, as the Broncos were so potent on offense the punter only had one opportunity to swing his leg. Having a star running back in Ashton Jeanty on your team can do that! On the first drive of the game against the Eagles, Ferguson-Reynolds dropped a 48 yard punt just outside of his target area, the ball bouncing out of bounds on the 22 yard line. With Boise heading to Eugene this Saturday to face the #3 ranked Oregon Ducks, JFR will hope to have more opportunities to add to his donation before his support for the pink cause returns to the blue turf in Week 3.
If you wish to join James in donating to Flock Cancer Idaho, click the link here:
