McCourty Twins Team Up with Jersey City Police for Blood Drive

On Sunday, February 23rd, the Jersey City Police Officers Benevolent Association (JCPOBA) teamed up with Jason and Devin McCourty, twin brothers and former Super Bowl champions, to host a blood drive—an event created to raise awareness of sickle cell disease. The event, which attracted numerous blood donors and sponsors, took place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The McCourty twins grew up in Rockland County and take immense pride in their New Jersey roots. They played together at Rutgers University and were both drafted into the NFL. Over the course of their careers, they earned multiple Pro Bowl recognitions and became the first pair of twins to win a Super Bowl together with the New England Patriots.

Now, they’re giving back to the community and raising awareness of sickle cell disease, which disproportionately affects the African American community. For the McCourtys, the disease hits close to home—their aunt and uncle both had severe cases, and their aunt tragically passed away from it. Many individuals with sickle cell disease can live normal lives with few to no symptoms. However, the disease can suddenly worsen without warning.

“The toughest challenge is that you look completely normal regardless of how bad it is. When it gets worse, oftentimes a person will suffer a loss of oxygen, and their organs can deteriorate,” Jason McCourty said.

Inspired by their family and community, the twins are making a significant effort to create change. They organize a variety of events, including an annual 5K walk at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. This year marks their 11th year hosting the event, scheduled for May 4th. Beyond New Jersey, they have led efforts across the country to raise awareness of the disease and educate communities. Their outreach also extends internationally, where they have provided care packages, resources, and medical support to countries facing similar sickle cell challenges.

The McCourtys aim to expand their presence in the New Jersey community through charitable initiatives, recognizing that their impact extends far beyond the football field—especially when it comes to educating people about the disease.

“By detecting the disease early, children can receive a cell transplant to cure it before it worsens. The more people that are screened, the more lives will be saved,” Devin McCourty said.