Iowa Hawkeyes football center Tyler Linderbaum raises $30,000 for Iowa Children’s Hospital

Iowa Hawkeyes have been naturally drawn to helping the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, especially the football team. The hospital overlooks Kinnick Stadium, and one of the best traditions in college football was born from the children waving to everyone inside the stadium during games.

Center Tyler Linderbaum also wanted to support the hospital, but current COVID-19 protocols have prevented any public visitors at the hospital. The hospital used robots to give kids a tour of the football facilities recently, but what had been regular visits from athletes have not been permitted.

Using new rules regarding name, image and likeness, Linderbaum was able to put together a fundraiser for the hospital.

Courtney Blind, the director of corporate and community development for the children’s hospital, says she was completely surprised when she heard from Linderbaum.

“We had no idea he was doing it, and it was so organic,” Blind told ESPN. “Tyler himself sent an email to me and another member of my team and said, ‘I’d like to do a fundraiser for you.’ He said he didn’t want to keep any of the money and wanted to give it all back to the hospital.”

Linderbaum set up a website to sell clothing and accessories with 100% of the profit donated to the hospital.

Two days in and already at $10,000!Let’s keep it going!https://t.co/5mSXNi8Ull pic.twitter.com/lUWDQqkVfs

— Tyler Linderbaum (@TLinderbaum) October 7, 2021

Some of the clothing featured Linderbaum, who just won the Rimington Trophy as the best center in college football, waving back to the hospital and a message about supporting the kids. The fundraiser ran in early October through Oct. 17. After two days, he already had $10,000 donated.

“His initial goal was to raise $15,000, and I remember when he was setting that goal with my team,” Blind said. “None of us were sure how realistic that would be, but we said let’s go for it and he said he thought we could do it. After about four days in, he passed it…