LaMarr Woodley attended Saginaw High School in Michigan. This year, Saginaw High was forced to institute pay-to-play for their athletics program because of budget cuts. Woodley’s foundation has stepped up to make sure that all the kids get a chance to play.

The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker is donating $60,000 to the Saginaw Public Schools athletic department to cover the pay-to-participate expenses for athletes in the school district for the 2012-13 school year.

Woodley wants to make sure that every kid gets a chance to participate. Eight hundred students at Saginaw High, Arthur Hill and the Saginaw Public Schools (junior highs and middle schools, too) will now be able to play without their family needing to come up with the extra money.

“When LaMarr heard about it, it bothered him,” said Malcom Staples, Woodley’s uncle and business advisor. “When LaMarr was playing sports, if his family had to pay $75, they probably could have done it, but it would not have been a simple thing. It would be a hardship for a lot of people, even if they could come up with the money.”

This has been your Professional Athlete Doing Something Awesome story of the day. OK … maybe not “of the day.” It would be nice though. [MLive]