'I just want to give back': Alphonso Davies unveils new burger for Stollery fundraiser
International soccer star Alphonso Davies greeted hundreds of fans in his hometown of Edmonton Saturday while promoting a new fundraiser for the Stollery Children's Hospital.
"The Phonzy burger with the special 19 sauce" will be sold at Burger Daddy, and half of the proceeds on the 19th of every month will be given to the children's charity.
"I just want to give back to my community. The Stollery helps a lot of families, a lot of kids, and I just want to give back to them," Davies told reporters.
He spent several hours meeting people, signing autographs and taking photos. The lineup was snaked through the parking lot on 45 Street and 167 Avenue.
"I'm happy that they're able to come out and come see me. I'm happy to meet my fans and meet my Edmontonians and I'm grateful for this," Davies said.
"These kids need help, and I'm able to help. So I try to do it in a way that I know how to."
Kelli White, a teacher from Saskatchewan, drove six hours to meet the 21-year-old Bayern Munich and Team Canada star.
"I just think he's an amazing role model. And all my students know Mrs. White is the biggest Alphonso Davies fan," she said before sitting down to her burger.
"So when there was an opportunity to come say hi and get something signed, six hours didn't seem like a very big deal."
White said Davies' journey particularly inspires her. He was born in a refugee camp in Ghana to Liberian parents who fled civil war in their home country. The family came to Canada when Davies was five.
Fans lineup for autographs with Canadian soccer star Alphonso Davies in Edmonton on June 25, 2022 (Dave Mitchell/CTV News Edmonton).
"I just told him that I think he's a great role model and I encouraged him to perhaps think about writing a middle-year graphic novel about being a refugee," she said, saying kids would enjoy reading that from someone who lived it.
Firas Househ, owner of Burger Daddy, said he didn't know how much the Phonzy burger would raise but he hopes it's a lot.
"Us, as Edmontonians, we enjoy giving back to the community," he said.
Davies' burger has two patties, cheese, onion and lettuce and special sauce that Househ wouldn't reveal.
"He created his own sauce, you gotta try it," he said with a laugh.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Nahreman Issa and The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.