Our football-loving Bigs and Littles were eager to get back onto the gridiron after the first BBBS Flag Football Event took place in 2024. This year’s experience was even BIGGER and BETTER thanks to the participation of our event partners—Breaking Barriers, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and our sister affiliate of Greater Rochester. This time around, the event included participants from each partner organization, and we had close to a hundred players, coaches, and supporters present for the football fun!
The Team’s Back For More!
On Saturday, May 31st, our Big Brothers Big Sisters family gathered at the Buffalo Bills Training Center for an action-packed day of skill-building and friendly competition. As part of the NFL’s Inspire Change social justice initiative, our organization aimed to show that mentorship on the field inspires positive change both on and off the turf.
Participants kicked off the morning with a series of dynamic drills designed to challenge speed, strength, and agility. Littles lined up for the 40-yard dash, sprinting their hearts out as Bigs and family members cheered them on. Next, flag-pulling stations put teamwork and quick reflexes to the test, while punting drills offered a new skill to master. To round out the skill circuit, volunteers guided everyone through mobility and agility courses—cones and ladders providing perfect obstacles for precision footwork—and vertical jump assessments revealed surprising leaps in confidence and athleticism.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
None of this would have been possible without our incredible sponsors. A heartfelt thank you goes out to:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester for trekking over to Buffalo and teaming up with us
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Breaking Barriers for their unwavering commitment to community empowerment
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Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Rho Lambda Chapter) for championing brotherhood and service
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Delaware North for fueling our participants with delicious snacks and beverages
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Ingram Micro and Connors & Ferris, LLP for providing essential resources behind the scenes
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New Era Cap Foundation for outfitting our teams with fresh headgear
We also extend special gratitude to the Buffalo Bills for hosting us in their state-of-the-art facility—a setting that elevated the excitement and professional feel of our event.
We’ve Only Just Begun
This flag football event reaffirmed our belief that mentorship doesn’t just happen in classrooms or community centers; it happens anywhere adults and youth come together to learn, play, and grow. As we share these photos and memories, we’re already looking forward to next year’s event and the countless opportunities it will bring to inspire, unite, and create lasting change.
If you would like to be a part of events such as this, consider becoming a Big to one of the many Littles we have in our program waiting to be matched with a volunteer mentor! [CLICK HERE] or call (716) 873-5833 to begin the journey.
