Gross donates $500K scholarship

At 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, Carolina Panthers all-pro Jordan Gross does things in a big way. Turns out, that includes check writing.

On Monday, Gross and his wife, Dana, donated $500,000 to their alma mater, the University of Utah.

"It's something we wanted to do for a while," said Gross, who was an All-American offensive lineman for the Utes before becoming a first-round NFL draft pick in 2003. "We're glad to get it done this year."

The gift will be evenly divided between the endowed "Jordan and Dana Gross Offensive Lineman Scholarship" and the "Utah Football Enhancement Fund." The scholarship includes a request that it be presented each year to an offensive lineman from a little town to "recognize that players from small communities can achieve at the highest level."

Gross and his wife are natives of Fruitland, Idaho, population 4,500.

Jordan said he'll always appreciate former Utah coach Ron McBride for taking a chance and giving him a scholarship.

The purpose of the new scholarship, Gross explained, is to challenge the coaching staff to find a "diamond-in-the-rough" and give him the same opportunity he received.

Gross is hopeful that the enhancement fund donation will also help keep the football program strong. He "cheered like crazy" watching Utah's Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama in the Louisiana Superdome.

"I'm excited to see what they can do with that program," Gross said.

"It's been so much fun watching them the last few years."

Gross is the fifth prominent athlete to make a large donation to Utah's athletic program in recent years, joining Carolina teammate Steve Smith, Alex Smith, Andrew Bogut and Andre Miller.

"Jordan Gross is undoubtedly one of the most talented players to have ever worn the Utah uniform. More importantly, his high character and the way he conducts his life is even more extraordinary than his playing ability," Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham said in a press release announcing the gift. "Jordan's generous contribution exemplifies the type of person that he is, and we are very grateful for his ongoing commitment to the football program and university."

As for finding more small-town talent with the new scholarship, the coach is determined to do so.