Joy in volunteering ‘exponential.’ Here’s how Chiefs’ Ambassador president gives back

As a professional football player, stats are everything when it comes to telling your gridiron story. Former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Shawn Barber racked up the numbers during his decade playing in the NFL with the Chiefs as well as the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans and the Washington Football Team.

Now retired and residing in Overland Park, Barber’s numbers are different: He counts them in a number of acts of kindness throughout the community with his charitable work.

“It is important to me to serve,” Barber said.

Today, Barber is the president of the Kansas City Chiefs Ambassadors, a brotherhood of former players.

“Through service I see what a difference it makes. Through military appreciation tours, you see how much they appreciate you. When you go read books to kids at schools, you see how much they appreciate you. In all of those experiences, you see the joy in volunteering. And it’s exponential.”

The Ambassadors are former players who chose to stick around after their playing days, giving back to the community that supported them during their Chiefs’ career.

The Ambassadors are a 501(c)3 group that raises money through various activities, including an annual golf tournament and gala. The group sends those funds back out in the community to support various nonprofits. Ambassadors also represent the football club at charitable endeavors and home games.

According to Barber, most of the 60 Ambassadors still live in the metro area, with notable out-of-town exceptions including Priest Holmes, Christian Okoye, Dante Hall and Kimble Anders.

Ambassadors must have played three years with the Chiefs and go through an internship before becoming a full-fledged member of the group. The Ambassadors meet monthly and are regularly out in the community representing the Chiefs and volunteering to help charitable causes.

Barber has been active with the Ambassadors for a number of years. He was raised in Richmond, Virginia, the son of two schoolteachers. Giving back to the community is in Barber’s DNA.

“Everything is a one-off from what you’ve learned,” said Barber, who grew up in Richmond.

“My mom, who was a teacher ... I saw her volunteer to do summer school and after-school help. She gave back beyond her job. Teachers are angels on earth doing one of the most important jobs by educating the next generation.

“To see her do that was a great example, so when I started to play professional sports, there was always the opportunity to give back to the community,” he said.

Barber played college football at the University of Richmond before entering the NFL as a fourth round draft pick by the Washington Redskins in 1998. While he played for various teams throughout his 10-year pro career, Barber has found time to help the community.

After his NFL retirement, Barber moved back to Kansas City in 2018 with his wife, Nicole. It wasn’t long before Barber became active with the Ambassadors. Barber has held several positions over the years, including vice president and communications chairman. He’s also served on several committees. Now he is in the middle of a two-year term as president.

“You’re elected vice president and then roll into the position of president after two years,” Barber said. “It’s a pretty good system because you hit the ground running.”

And run they do. Ambassadors members serve at three events weekly on average. During the season, they can raise that number to five events on behalf of the Chiefs’ charitable efforts.

As president, Barber works with other Ambassadors as well as Chiefs staff to set up appearances and oversee the group’s own community efforts.

“We have a revolving partnership with multiple nonprofits to help fund them,” Barber said. “Currently, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the University of Kansas Health System and Camp Quality all receive between $25,000-$33,000 a year from us. They are revolving three-year commitments.”

In addition, the Ambassadors provide a total of $125,000 to about 35 charitable organizations.

“Each ambassador can make a donation request to go to a nonprofit of their choice and those range from $1,500 to $2,500,” Barber said.

In addition to giving back to the community, Barber enjoys the camaraderie the Ambassadors group provides. One of his closest friends is former Chiefs’ Tight End Billy Baber. Both Virginia natives, Baber played college football at the University of Virginia. The two actually played against each other in college.

“That first time I remember meeting Shawn, we had a plan for him,” Baber said. “He was someone to account for during the game. We did a lot of film study of him.

“I knew of him and he knew of me. Then comes 2003 and he’s a free agent and the Chiefs signed him and I was here. It was a match made in heaven being Virginia people,” Baber said.

“We started hanging out, we would play cards together, go on vacation together and do family things together. Now we live a mile apart.”

Today, Baber is one of Barber’s biggest fans.

“Barbershop (Barber’s nickname) is one of the most caring, genuine people. He’s a give you ‘the shirt off his back’ kind of man,” Baber said. He’s the best of the best at being a friend and community leader.

“He volunteers for everything he can. He always shows up and smiles. The fingerprint he will leave with the Ambassadors will go on beyond his term.”

In addition to his role as Ambassadors’ president, Barber has another Chiefs connection working as the uniform inspector for the NFL at home games. He also founded a nonprofit organization — Gridiron Grunts — with friend John Selman, a former U.S. Army officer.

Gridiron Grunts is a motivational and educational nonprofit focused on bringing leadership education to organizations. Barber is also vice president of business development at the McInnes Group.

Barber’s volunteer efforts expand beyond the gridiron. Barber leads the Mighty Men’s Group at his congregation, Church of the Harvest and serves on the leadership board. He is a longtime board member with Kids TLC as well as serving on the board of the Brian Dawkins Impact Foundation.

While Barber spends a lot of time helping in the community, it’s family first for the NFL veteran. The Barbers are parents of six children: Niko (who is on the Chiefs’ equipment staff), Noah, Zaera, Deacon, Xander and Cade.

“I am personally going out always to promote faith, family and football and present those in a positive way and create a better world,” Barber said.

“In my overall parenting I use my volunteer efforts to create an image for my boys and my daughter to emulate. That’s what it takes to be a good man or woman, a good friend. It’s showing them by my actions.”

Mutual respect is something Barber shares with former Chiefs Wide receiver Kevin Lockett.

Lockett first met Barber during their playing days together in Washington and reconnected in Kansas City. The two have been close friends ever since working side by side with the Ambassadors and other charitable activities.

“He is tirelessly working within the community to create relationships and identify partnerships that will allow our organization to fulfill its mission,” Lockett said.

“Shawn is a very selfless person and it shows every day. He is constantly focused on bettering others around him, even more than he is focused on bettering himself,” Lockett said.

“He truly has a spirit to serve and that is why his work comes across as genuine and real.”

This story was originally published January 4, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Joy in volunteering ‘exponential.’ Here’s how Chiefs’ Ambassador president gives back."