The Derrick Thomas/Neil Smith Third and Long Foundation

08/19/2026

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 🥊🎷**

Knuckle Noise presents **A NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS**, bringing together amateur boxing, live jazz, Kansas City history and community impact for one unforgettable night.

On **Saturday, August 29**, we’ll take over **The LEX at the Kansas City Convention Center** in support of the **Derrick Thomas/Neil Smith Third & Long Foundation** and our continued mission to **SACK ILLITERACY** in Greater Kansas City.

The evening will celebrate the rich connection between **boxing and Kansas City’s historic 18th & Vine District**, while paying homage to Charlie “Bird” Parker and recognizing the boxing legacy of Arrington “Bubble” Klice.

🎙️ Hosted by Steven St. John of Sports Radio 810 WHB

🥊 VIP Reception | 5:00–6:30 PM
🥊 GA Entry | 6:30 PM
🥊 First Bout | 7:15 PM

🎟️ **TICKETS**
Tickets range from **$50–$100 for front-row seating**, with **table seating beginning at $250**.

**Get your tickets:**
https://www.ticketmaster.com/knuckle-noise-fighting-for-the-future-kansas-city-missouri-08-29-2026/event/060064F1B888103B

**Boxing. Jazz. History. Community.**

Kansas City, join us for **A Night of Champions.**

08/17/2026

Happy Birthday to our great friend and Chiefs Ambassador and Legend Jayice Pearson.

08/17/2026

🏈📚 WELCOME TO THE DERRICK THOMAS/NEIL SMITH THIRD & LONG FOUNDATION’S SCHOOL YEAR DRAFT!

School may not officially be back yet, but PRESEASON STARTS NOW! 🔥

We’re counting down to the first bell with some Back-to-School fun, challenges, picks and a little friendly competition.

ROUND 1 IS ON THE CLOCK! ⏰

You only get ONE pick:

1️⃣ Best Teacher
2️⃣ Your Best Friend in Your Class
3️⃣ Best Lunch
4️⃣ Winning Season

👀 Who are YOU taking first?

Drop your pick below, then LIKE, FOLLOW & TAP IN EVERY DAY as we get our students, families and student-athletes ready for a BIG school year!

The mission stays the same:

📚 SACK ILLITERACY.
🏆 BUILD FUTURES.
❤️ CHANGE LIVES.

08/16/2026

Congratulations to our friends at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and Kendrick. This is really cool.

TV series “Ted Lasso,” has spotlighted the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum causing an increase in local foot traffic.

https://fox4kc.com/news/ted-lasso-season-premiere-shines-spotlight-on-local-kansas-city-attraction/

08/16/2026

Happy Birthday to our great friend and Board Members Christian Okoye!

08/09/2026

Yesterday, Neil Smith and Third & Long Foundation Student Intern Payton Walls welcomed boxing superstar Terence "Bud" Crawford and the B&B Sports Academy Foundation to Kansas City.

A huge thank you to Worlds of Fun for hosting an incredible day for the kids!

Now for the question everybody's asking... 👀

Why is Bud Crawford hanging out in Kansas City with Neil Smith and the Derrick Thomas/Neil Smith Third & Long Foundation?

Stay tuned... 😏

08/06/2026

🥊🎷 KANSAS CITY... ARE YOU READY? 🎷🥊

Something BIG is coming!

The Derrick Thomas/Neil Smith Third & Long Foundation is proud to be a beneficiary of Knuckle Noise—a one-of-a-kind night of amateur boxing, live jazz, and community presented by Erin Taylor and Pound 4 Pound Elite Boxing Academy.

📅 Saturday, August 29, 2026
📍 The Lex at the Kansas City Convention Center

VIP Entry: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
General Admission: 6:30 PM
🥊 First Bell: 7:15 PM

This is more than a fight night. It's an opportunity to support Kansas City's youth while enjoying an unforgettable evening.

🎟️ Get your tickets today:
https://www.ticketmaster.com/knuckle-noise-fighting-for-the-future-kansas-city-missouri-08-29-2026/event/060064F1B888103B

👀 But wait... we're not done yet.

A MAJOR Special Guest Announcement is coming soon!

Make sure you LIKE and FOLLOW the Third & Long Foundation to be the first to find out who's coming to Kansas City to hang out with Neil Smith and friends. You won't want to miss this one.

07/29/2026

🥊🎷 THE WAIT IS OVER. 🥊🎷

We've been a little quiet on social media, but we've been busy where it matters most—serving our community, building partnerships, and creating new opportunities for Kansas City's youth.

Now it's time to share what's next.

Introducing KNUCKLE NOISE!

An unforgettable evening of amateur boxing and live jazz benefiting the Derrick Thomas/Neil Smith Third & Long Foundation and Pound 4 Pound Elite Boxing Academy.

📅 Saturday, August 29, 2026
📍 The Lex | Kansas City, Missouri

Every ticket helps support programs that empower young people through literacy, mentorship, leadership, and opportunity.

This is just the beginning.

Stay tuned... We have more major announcements, exciting partnerships, and Save the Date events coming soon. You won't want to miss what's ahead.

Let's make some noise for Kansas City's youth.

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day from the Derrick Thomas / Neil Smith Third and Long Foundation ❤️🌹🏈

Today we celebrate all of the amazing mothers, grandmothers, aunties and mother figures who lead with love, strength, and grace every day.

Thank you for all you do for your families, our youth, and our community. Wishing you a beautiful and blessed Mother’s Day. ❤️💛

05/07/2026

Congratulations to 2026 Derrick Thomas/Neil Smith Community Service Award Recipients, Makayla McConnell, Belton High School;Addison Welch,
Summit Christian Academy; Bailey Foster, Lincoln College Preparatory and Aiden Cummings, Summit Christian Academy.

A special honor cord was presented to Amiah Harden, Staley High School for her outstanding community service to the Third and Long Foundation.