BREAKING: Oklahoma Sooners star quarterback John Mateer has donated his full $20 million signing bonus and sponsorship earnings to charities and organizations supporting the homeless. “Millions of people are facing hardship every day — families without shelter, kids going hungry, veterans lacking the help they need,” Sanders said. “I could easily be one of them…”
In an unprecedented act of generosity, Oklahoma Sooners star quarterback John Mateer has donated the entirety of his $20 million signing bonus and sponsorship earnings to charities focused on combating homelessness and poverty across the United States.
Mateer, who transferred to Oklahoma ahead of the 2025 season, made the announcement in a heartfelt statement on Wednesday morning. “Millions of people are facing hardship every day — families without shelter, kids going hungry, veterans lacking the help they need,” he said. “I could easily be one of them. I’ve been given a rare opportunity, and I want to use it to change lives.”
The funds will be distributed among a number of national and local organizations that provide housing, food security, job training, and mental health services. Mateer’s donation is believed to be one of the largest single-player contributions to social causes in the history of college athletics.
Though still early in his Oklahoma career, Mateer is already making a profound impact — not just on the field, but off it. Coaches and teammates praised his humility and leadership, with head coach Brent Venables calling the gesture “a powerful reminder of what true character looks like.”
