New York Giants safety Antoine Bethea, who graduated from Denbigh High School in Newport News, Virginia, will soon be giving back to his childhood community.
The Daily Press reports that Bethea approached Newport News City Councilman Marcellus Harris with the idea to build an outdoor basketball court in the northern part of the city — a proposal that was shared with the counsel on Tuesday.
Bethea told the city he wanted the courts to be visible and easily accessible. David Freeman, assistant to the city manager, said the selected location between the Denbigh Community Center and Stoney Run Park meets that criteria.
Michael Poplawski, the director of parks and recreation, said existing parking, restrooms, roads and other amenities from the two facilities will be easily usable for people using the new court.
The basketball court carries an estimated cost of $354,000, $320,000 of which will be provided by Bethea through the Antoine Bethea Family Foundation, according to city staff.
“We love free things,” Poplawski said in tongue-in-cheek fashion. “Something of this magnitude is something that’s really needed in the city.”
An early projection has construction beginning in April with an estimated date of completion sometime between June and July.
Bethea signed a two-year deal with the Giants in 2019 and led the team in tackles (101) last season.
