By QC Life Web Staff
January 30, 2025 at 2:32 pm EST
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QC Life) – He can play football, he can call games, but did you know Greg Olsen can make biscuits, too?
WBTV and The HEARTest Yard are teaming up with Bojangles to raise money to support heart care services and research in our communities.
We were joined by Jose Armario, executive director of the Bojangles Foundation and the CEO of Bojangles, along with Kari Plant, head nurse practitioner of The HEARTest Yard.
Starting February 3rd, visit any Bojangles location and purchase a heart-shaped Bo-Berry Biscuit. 10% of sales will benefit The HEARTest Yard and the Bojangles Foundation.
If you’re not in the mood for a Bo-Berry Biscuit (but how can you not?), you can also donate by rounding up your purchase at the register.
ADVERTISEMENT
It’s a delicious way to celebrate Heart Month.
For more information on The HEARTest Yard, visit their website.
Click here for the Bojangles location nearest you.
Copyright 2025 WBTV. All rights reserved.
The Carolina Panthers legend sat down for a wide-ranging 1-on-1 conversation with WCNC Charlotte
“I’ll be honest. It’s hard sitting home on the couch watching the games,” he told WCNC Sports Director Nick Carboni. “I’ll be very honest, my goal getting into this wasn’t to call regional, 1 o’clock games and just be happy to be there. I’ve called the highest games, some of the biggest games in NFL history, some of the biggest audience in NFL history. To not do it anymore is hard, it’s not ideal.”
Brady has nine more years to go in his contract with FOX, but Olsen says there could be a path elsewhere to call more big games.
“Wherever it is, whatever network it’s on, whatever opportunity is there, my goal is to continue to show I’m as good if not better than anybody in this industry,” Olsen said. “I just need a chair.”
Olsen sat down with WCNC Charlotte for a wide-ranging interview at Steak 48, a popular south Charlotte restaurant that serves as the site of his annual HEARTest Yard Ungala.
The Feb. 24 event features prominent local and national sports celebrities with 100% of the proceeds going to the HEARTest Yard program.
For ticket information, click here.
“It doesn’t feel like you’re at a charity event,” Olsen said. “We fill this with our biggest supporters, family, friends, former teammates. People from all over the Carolinas that truly appreciate our program, the children’s hospital, the community. It’s a very unique event and one that we certainly don’t take for granted.”
That program is part of Olsen’s Receptions for Research, which supports families of children with congenital heart disease like Olsen’s son, T.J., who was treated at Levine’s Children’s Hospital.
Last year, the event raised $305,000, which equates to over 6,100 hours of in-home nursing care for a new heart baby.
“That was the entire motivation behind us starting the HEARTest Yard,” Olsen said. “How do we make sure that we leave it better than we found it. The hope for us is that kids born 10-20 years after T.J., they should have a significantly better experience and outcome.”
T.J. Olsen had a heart transplant nearly four years ago.
“He’s doing awesome,” Olsen said. “Playing basketball, playing baseball, running around and driving us crazy.”
Olsen and his family still call Charlotte home despite other NFL stints in Chicago and Seattle, and he pays close attention to the Panthers still.
He was very impressed with quarterback Bryce Young’s turnaround after being benched early in his second season.
“I think it’s one of the best stories in the NFL this season,” Olsen said. “He could have easily thrown in the towel and said I’m done here. But he didn’t. From everybody you talk to his attitude didn’t change. I think we saw the Bryce Young that we all watched and marveled at, at Alabama. That was the magic that made him the first overall pick. I think we saw flashes of it down the stretch.”
By QC Life Web Staff
January 28, 2025 at 11:12 am EST
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QC Life) – In 2012, former Panthers tight end Greg Olsen’s son TJ was born with a congenital heart defect. In 2021, he received a life-changing heart transplant. The Olsen’s are now on a mission to help other families going through the same journey with their organization The HEARTest Yard.
One of the signature event is the annual “unGala” at Steak 48. Last year’s event raised more than $300,000! There are still tickets if you want to go, have a fun night and help a great cause at the same time.
CHARLOTTE —
Former Carolina Panthers player Greg Olsen and Showmars teamed up to make a generous donation to Atrium Health Levine Children’s HEARTest Yard Congenital Heart Center.
This year, the 8th annual HEARTest Yard + Showmars 5K raised $92,000. The money will help new parents like Derrick Bradshaw and Halee Garrett get the treatment they need for their daughter.
“Just the way they monitor her so closely helps a lot because you feel like you’ve got the care from the hospital going home with you and it helps people like us feel safe to take our kid home,” Halee Garrett said.
KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD) – Former Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, along with Panther’s brass, top sponsors, and former teammates including Luke Kuechly teed it up this morning in the third annual HEARTest Yard Celebrity Classic on Kiawah.
The golf tournament is part of Greg and his wife Kara’s foundation to raise funds for other babies born with congenital heart disease like their son T.J..
The HEARTest Yard helps babies and their families being treated at MUSC’s Shawn Jenkin’s Children’s Hospital.
The event has raised $600.000 since its inception in 2022.
Charlotte, N.C. — Showmars Restaurants and the HEARTest Yard program will team up for the eighth straight year to host a 5K and Kids Fun Run in Charlotte on Saturday, April 20 that will raise funds to support children with congenital heart disorders.
South Charlotte Weekly:
CHARLOTTE – Carolina Panthers legend Greg Olsen has been supporting cancer causes for many years.
He launched the Greg Olsen Foundation following his mother’s breast cancer diagnosis and The HEARTest Yard following his son, TJ, being diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.
“We feel like this is our mission,” Olsen told those attending The HEARTest Yard Ungala at Steak 48 in SouthPark. “We feel like this is our calling. We feel like we were given TJ’s diagnosis and tough journey for a reason. We realize that we are very fortunate that we had means that we could really provide him with the top level of care both in the home and out of the home as possible. It is our goal to make sure everybody has the same results.”
Greg and Kara Olsen welcomed a slew of pro sports celebrities to Steak 48 for The HEARTest Yard Ungala.
Several members of the Carolina Panthers attended the gala, including owner David Tepper; quarterback Andy Dalton; and legends Luke Kuechly, Muhsin Muhammad and Jonathan Stewart.
Others attending were NASCAR champion Kyle Busch, Charlotte Hornets executive Fred Whitfield, Speedway Sports CEO Marcus Smith, Bojangles CEO Jose Armario and Fox Sports executive Jacob Ullman.
The event raised $305,000. The money raised represents more than 6,100 hours of in-home nursing care for babies diagnosed with congenital heart defects.
Charlotte, N.C. (BNN) – Experience the touching stories and impactful moments from the HEARTest Yard UnGala, a night dedicated to supporting families dealing with congenital heart disease. Learn how community support can make a difference in the lives of those in need.
At the recent HEARTest Yard UnGala, an event dedicated to supporting families affected by congenital heart disease, Greg Olsen, founder of The HEARTest Yard, and his notable supporters, Natalie and Jonathan Stewart, were interviewed on the ‘green carpet’ by Adam Wurtzel of ‘Up ‘n Adam’. Hosted at Steak 48 in Charlotte, N.C., the gala underscored the community’s dedication to aiding those in need.
Community Comes Together for a Noble Cause
The HEARTest Yard’s mission has always been to offer a lifeline to families navigating the challenging waters of congenital heart disease. During the event, Olsen and the Stewarts shared their personal connections to the cause, emphasizing the difference that community support can make. The green carpet, a symbol of hope and growth, served as a poignant backdrop for discussions about the organization’s goals and achievements.
Highlights from the Ungala
Aside from the interviews, the evening was filled with stories of resilience and recovery, showcasing the impact of The HEARTest Yard on individual families. Testimonials from beneficiaries highlighted the tangible benefits of the support offered, from medical care to emotional and financial support. The event not only raised awareness but also significant funds to continue the organization’s critical work.
Looking Forward: The Future of The HEARTest Yard
As the evening concluded, Greg Olsen and his team looked towards the future with optimism. The success of the UnGala represents a stepping stone for The HEARTest Yard, with plans to expand their services and reach more families in need. The commitment of Olsen, the Stewarts, and the entire community sends a powerful message of hope to families dealing with congenital heart disease.
The HEARTest Yard UnGala, through its celebration of community support and resilience, has once again highlighted the power of collective action in facing health challenges. As the organization moves forward, its mission remains unwavering: to ensure no family has to navigate the journey of congenital heart disease alone.
