In a culture obsessed with touchdowns and trophies, Ole Miss Rebels rookie wide receiver Tre Harris is reminding us that true greatness is found not only in athletic accomplishments, but also in the heart beneath the jersey. In a tremendous act of compassion and purpose, Harris has formally created the “A Hope Rising Foundation,” a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children with disabilities in his beloved Mississippi.
Tre Harris announced the foundation’s debut at a news conference in Oxford, surrounded by teammates, coaches, community leaders, and the families it aims to help. “Football gave me a platform,” Harris added. But God gave me a purpose. And the purpose is to serve.”
A Hope Rising Foundation’s aim is fundamental and clear: to provide free healthcare, basic daily needs, emotional support, and inclusive opportunities to children with physical and developmental disabilities, particularly in rural and neglected communities. Mississippi, one of the states with the highest rates of child poverty and impairment, has historically had inconsistent access to pediatric care. Tre Harris is determined to rewrite the narrative.
The foundation’s launch will begin with the deployment of mobile medical units staffed by volunteer doctors, nurses, and therapists who will travel to underserved places to provide care. Harris, who grew up experiencing both misery and hope, understands how transformative these tools can be. The organization also provides family assistance grants, adapted sports opportunities, and educational enrichment programs to help children thrive on all levels—mental, physical, and emotional.
“I want every kid to know that they matter, that they’re seen, and that they’re loved,” Harris told reporters. “Disability should never mean invisibility.”
This isn’t simply charity. It is a mission of respect, equity, and love. Tre Harris has not only contributed a portion of his signing bonus to support the effort, but he has also assembled an inspirational network of student-athletes, local leaders, and national partners who are dedicated to its long-term success. What started as a dream suddenly became a movement.
Coach Lane Kiffin commended Harris during the foundation’s inception, saying, “Tre’s effect on the field is apparent, but what he’s doing off the field—this is legacy stuff. This is what it means to wear ‘Ole Miss’ on your chest.
The foundation’s first round of community events has already begun, with scores of children in Mississippi counties receiving meals, backpacks, sensory toys, and free medical check-ups. And this is only the beginning. Plans are being developed to create a permanent Hope Rising Wellness Center, where children and families can receive year-round treatment and community.
Mississippi’s Tre Harris is more than just a rising football star. They’ve discovered a champion of compassion, a voice for the voiceless, and a human angel.
This season, Harris will carry more than Rebel fans’ expectations; he will carry the dreams of every child he is fighting for, both on and off the field.