Former Vanderbilt cornerback Casey Hayward has pledged $1 million to Vanderbilt’s football program, the program announced Friday afternoon. 

Hayward played four years for the Commodores, capped off by All-American and Second-team All-SEC selections in 2011. He posted 62 total tackles, 7 interceptions and 10 passes defended during his senior year. He was then selected by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons in Green Bay before spending five with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, one year with the Las Vegas Raiders and one year with the Atlanta Falcons. He earned two Second-team All-Pro and two Pro Bowl selections with the Chargers in 2016 and 2017

The gift is “among the largest” of all former student-athletes who went on to play professionally, and it is the largest ever from a former Vanderbilt Football player, per the program’s release.

“I want young people coming in to realize they are part of an institution that people hold in high regard,” Hayward said. “You come to Vanderbilt for a certain reason. I went for football and academics — a lot of people go to be doctors or lawyers, all different types of things. But all of us, we come to Vanderbilt for one reason, and that’s the name and everything it represents.”

The donation will create the “Casey Hayward Athletic Scholarship,” an endowed scholarship for student-athletes. It will also establish the “Casey Hayward Fund” which will support summer programming for student-athletes, including international study opportunities. 

Hayward’s contributions will also go towards Vanderbilt’s Dare to Grow campaign, as it will support Vandy United’s capital improvements. The gift will also fuel the Athletics General Fund. In recognition of Hayward’s gifts, Vanderbilt Football will dedicate a team meeting space, the “Casey Hayward Team Meeting Room,” to him.