SAGINAW, Mich. — Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley is offering some young people in Michigan the opportunity to play school sports free of charge.

The former Saginaw High School and Michigan Wolverines player is donating $60,000 to the Saginaw Public Schools’ athletic department. The money is to cover pay-to-play expenses for athletes in the school district for the 2012-13 school year.

The donation is from a foundation set up by Woodley.

The school system instituted pay-to-play fees because of athletic department budget cuts, charging high school students $75 a year to participate.

Woodley also is expected to be in Saginaw on Aug. 29 for a back-to-school event for boys entering grades 1 through 8. Kids will get backpacks, school supplies, food and shirts.