Fans can join Braves' Freddie Freeman's fantasy fooball league

Fans can join a fantasy football league headlined by Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman with a $2,500 charitable donation.

The “Freddie’s Free Hugs” league is holding its live draft on Friday at Turner Field before the Braves face the Athletics. In addition to Freeman, others scheduled to participate include current Braves Chris Johnson, Craig Kimbrel, Gavin Floyd and Gerald Laird and ex-Braves pitcher John Smoltz.

Tax-deductible contributions support the Atlanta Community Food Bank, The Salvation Army and the Atlanta Braves Foundation.

Benefits at the draft include autographed baseballs by participating players, a tour of Tuner Field, VIP access to batting practice and tickets to the game against the A’s that night. The grand prize for the league winner is a trip for two to an event at Breckenridge Ski Resort in Spring 2015 as well as a football helmet autographed by the participating Braves players.

Freeman said Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright called him to ask if he wanted to form one of several leagues organized by Georgia-based nonprofit Big League Impact, Inc.

“Of course I said yes,” Freeman said. “It’s a big charity.”

For more information, visit BigLeagueImpact.org.

WSBTV