Cody Deaner announces the Special Olympics as the first Organization for the "Giv'er for Charity" Campaign

Cody Deaner recently made the following announcement on his Facebook Page:

This is Rahim Jamani. And, he is a very special man.

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the 2018 St. Thomas Sports Spectacular. It was a fundraiser for local Special Olympics athletes. As a special guest, I signed autographs and rubbed shoulders with amazing athletes like Roberto Alomar, Larry Murphy, Anthony Alford, Diana Matheson, and fellow professional wrestler, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat. While it was amazing getting to be at an event with all of these top-tier athletes, there was one athlete who ended up outshining them all - Rahim Jamani.
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For the second year in a row, Rahim was named the Athlete of the Year. And I was honored to sit directly beside him for the evening during dinner. When I sat down and started talking to him, I quickly found out he had to do a speech that night. He sat beside me with his speech in front of him... all four typed pages of it. As I thought about him going up to read this in a room cramped with over 650 people and elite athletes from all over the world, I just had to ask him, "Are you nervous, bud?"
He looked at me with a huge smile and said, "Nope."

I can honestly say, I didn't believe him. I mean, I wasn't doing a speech, but I was nervous for him as the MC - Sportsnet's Mike Wilner - introduced Rahim to the stage. For the next 10 minutes, Rahim gave a speech that left the audience in both hysterics and amazement. Rahim was a natural comedian and told them of all the sports he played and medals he's won. I actually lost count of how many sports Rahim plays. He graciously talked about his coaches and the other players on his teams and how amazing they all are. He even ended his speech saying he was a HUGE wrestling fan and cracked a joke to Ricky Steamboat asking for some wrestling pointers.

After his speech, Rahim got a standing ovation ... and a giant hug from "The Dragon" himself.
After his speech, I got to sit with Rahim for the next few hours and have dinner with him. I came to realize that Rahim is, in fact, a huge wrestling fan and had seen me wrestle in St. Thomas numerous times over the years. He recalled to me, in detail, moments of matches I had over a decade a go that Rahim witnessed. I had a blast talking wrestling with Rahim, learning about his training regime, and his family. At one point, he innocently looked over at me and asked, "Can you cut my meat for me? It's kinda tough." I smiled ear to ear as I took his plate and cut his prime rib for him. It was delicious.
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I learned something that night. You can't measure someone by their accomplishments. You can only measure someone by their heart. While Rahim had achieved some amazing athletic accomplishments (and was named Athlete of the Year because of them), it was his heart that was displayed to all those in attendance that night. And he won over the room. With all those stars in the room, Rahim was clearly the brightest.

That same night, they auctioned off a cartoon caricature of me, created by Rikar Art. Because of this night with Rahim, I was inspired to start the "Giv'er for Charity" campaign, where every month I will donate 100% of the proceeds from sales of this picture to a different charity. In honor of Rahim, I will be donating all of the proceeds collected in February to Rahim and his Special Olympics team.

To the entire team at the St. Thomas Sports Spectacular, thank you so much for inviting me to your amazing event.

To Rahim, thank you for ... well ... just being you. You are an inspiration to us all.
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Sincerely,
Cody Deaner