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April 20, 2026
ASHWAUBENON – Even though his time with the Green Bay Packers ended, running back AJ Dillon and his wife, Gabrielle, are still finding ways to give back to communities throughout Northeast Wisconsin.
Dillon said he and his wife will be back in Titletown May 9 for “Pickleball for a Purpose,” an event being held at the Picklr (2610 Holmgren Way, Ashwaubenon) presented by NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin.
The second annual Pickleball for a Purpose, he said, is a charity pickleball tournament benefiting the Dillon Family Foundation – the launch of which The Business News first featured in its July 29, 2024 issue.
“We started the Dillon Family Foundation in 2024 to combat hunger in Wisconsin and beyond,” he said. “To date, the Dillon Family Foundation has donated more than $75,000 to hunger relief organizations and initiatives and has impacted more than 3,000 families.”
Dillon, a second-round pick of the Packers in the 2020 NFL Draft, played for the Green and Gold from 2020-24 before spending a season with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Most recently, he signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers.
“The Green Bay area has always supported my family and I, and Pickleball for a Purpose is a fun way for us to give back while helping families facing hunger,” Dillon said. “Everyone seems to be playing pickleball now, but I remember when it first became popular. My brother-in-law and I would play now and then.”
Ironically, Dillon said one of the first times he ever played pickleball was at the Picklr in Ashwaubenon – which was featured in The Business News in its Oct. 7, 2024 issue.
“It’s a game anybody can play, regardless of age,” he said. “Pickleball brings a community together and can be as competitive as you want it to be.”
Dillon said their commitment to giving back isn’t slowing down, as planning for the 2027 event will begin shortly after the 2026 tournament wraps up.
“We want to make sure the third annual event goes smoothly, too, so that means the planning starts early,” he said.
Event details
Dillon said Pickleball for a Purpose will run from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 9.
Tickets range from $10 to $40 – again benefiting the foundation – and include:
- A full day of entertainment at the Picklr
- Pickleball mixer – a social, round-robin style event where players rotate
partners and opponents after every game to play against multiple people
- Kids open play, where local coaches and pros will help guide youth players
- Mixed moneyball, where advanced teams will compete for a $1,000 grand prize
- Mixed tournament, where intermediate teams will compete for bragging rights
- Chance to win cash prizes
- Photo opportunities, interactive stations and exclusive experiences
Visit wi-pickleballforapurpose.com to purchase tickets or sponsor the event.
Dillon Family Foundation
According to dillonfamilyfoundation.org, TWO8FINITY, a Wisconsin limited-liability company, operates as the Dillon Family Foundation, a project of Players Philanthropy Fund, Inc.
The Players Philanthropy Fund, Inc. is a Texas nonprofit corporation recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt public charity.
Dillon said the foundation’s mission is to “empower families and combat hunger in our communities.”
“The foundation has grown over the years because of the support we’ve received from the Northeast Wisconsin community,” he said. “The people of that area have really aligned with our mission. Our foundation team (Capture Sports & Entertainment) and my wife do a lot of the heavy lifting to make sure everything is put together.”
Dillon said he and Gabrielle enjoy using their platform to help give back.
“It’s been really cool to see those effects and see the smiles on people’s faces when we’re able to give back,” he said.
Moving between teams over the course of his career, Dillon said his own journey has evolved as well – “just like the foundation has.”
“We did some events in Philadelphia and were able to interact with the Boys & Girls Clubs there,” he said. “Now, being with the Carolina Panthers, we’ll find some foundations that fit our mission there to give back.”
A love for Northeast Wisconsin
While living and playing in Green Bay, fans would often spot Dillon – who they affectionately nicknamed “Quadzilla” – engaging with student fans at high school basketball games.
He said despite not living full-time in Green Bay for the last couple of years, he still calls the area “our home base.”
“To this day, the only house we own is in Green Bay,” he said. “I was fortunate enough to get drafted and play for the Packers for five years and had a great time. I have tons of great friends from the area, and my wife and I met there. The community has welcomed us with open arms and open hearts.”
Dillon said he and Gabrielle are also big fans of Door County.
“We always try to get back in the summer when we can,” he said.
During the WIAA basketball tournaments, which recently concluded, Dillon said he still rooted for area student-athletes from afar.
“I’ve made relationships with some of those kids through activities, camps or Packers games, and now they’re growing up in high school and going to college,” he said. “It’s really cool to continue to follow and support them.”
