Instead of sending money to the NFL to pay a fine that was later canceled, New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen and his spouse, Alisson, donated it locally to the Second Harvest Food Bank.

“We’re lucky to be able to have a certain degree of lifestyle and a certain amount of comfort being employed in the NFL,” Allen stated to the Saints’ internal media. “And the best thing you can do to improve your self-esteem is to try to do something for your community.

You want to be able to support those in your community who are in need anytime you feel like it, since this city and our team are such a tight-knit community.

The NFL initially penalized Allen a large sum when defensive end Cam Jordan allegedly staged an injury in the fourth quarter of a December game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In addition to Allen’s penalties, the NFL fined the Saints organization an additional $350,000 and fined Jordan and co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen $50,000 each. After each side won their subsequent appeals, the fines were waived.

Alisson Allen expressed his desire for the funds to be used for a worthwhile cause and expressed a particular interest in the Second Harvest Food Bank as a nonprofit institution.

“We wanted to do something to help out in the community and thought it was a great place to start,” Allen said.

Second Harvest provides food and support to 23 parishes in south Louisiana through more