In May 2021, Texas safety Michael Taaffe lost his best friend when Jake Ehlinger died of fentanyl poisoning. That moment ultimately led Taaffe to bring awareness to the dangers of fentanyl, and he became active in the space with Texas Against Fentanyl.
For his efforts, Taaffe won the Wuerffel Trophy, the premier award for community service. He is also the captain of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, following in the footsteps Tim Tebow and former Texas star Sam Acho, among others.
Through his work with Texas Against Fentanyl, Taaffe took a leading role in substance abuse prevention efforts in Ehlinger’s memory. He helped raise nearly $60,000 through a fundraiser, which he said helped cover the organization’s yearly budget. As for why he got involved, Taaffe borrowed a quote from Tebow…