On Thursday, June 9th, the Jaguars decided to nix an OTA practice in favor of spending the day in the community, where coaches and players went to four hospitals in the Jacksonville area to visit with patients. It was, as head coach Gus Bradley put it, a day to “give back.”
“We talked about in a team meeting if you have a chance to do good, you do good, and today’s a chance to make a difference in people’s lives,” Bradley said, via Mike DiRocco of ESPN. “So many times we ask, ‘What are we getting? What are we getting?’ Today we decided to give back.”
Players were split up and sent to Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, Brooks Rehabilitation and Nemuors Children’s Specialty Care. It was an afternoon they didn’t expect until arriving at the facility. The news, given to the team by Bradley, was met with excitement and full support by players who understand the importance of giving back.
It’s a reminder that there are bigger things in life than football.
“When you come to a hospital like Wolfson, you get an understanding that football is a game,” said tight end Julius Thomas, who particularly bonded with 9-year old, Lily Despares, about their mutual love of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. “It’s a profession for us, a pastime for other people in this country, but there actually people that are going through things and battling through more adversity than we’re seeing.”
Indeed, these children are battling through major adversity. Defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks said he enjoys brightening the kids’ day, but acknowledged that it can also be emotionally draining.
“After a while it becomes emotional,” Marks said. “Some kids you can’t even go in the room. It’s hard for us to imagine, especially when we wake up where we wake up and feel the way we feel, go into the building and do the things we do. Sometimes you don’t even realize what other people are going through, so when you actually come out and see it, it actually really does humble you.”
The experience is well worth it, of course, and players truly do gain a connection with the children. It’s one thing to participate in team-bonding events like bowling and trips to the movies – two traditionally popular options – but it shows players’ true character and understanding when they step away from football and give back to those who support them.
Giving back, just to see a smile. That’s all you need! pic.twitter.com/3Aq2u46jyV
— Joe Banyard (@Banyard_J) June 9, 2016
Marks said he hopes Bradley organizes another community event this summer, and it’s likely he’s not alone on that wish.
“It’s a real good experience,” tight end Neal Sterling said. “We just see the looks on the kid’s faces when he walk in and see how much joy football players can bring them. It’s a real good feeling to give back… “You get to see how much joy the kids have interacting with them and talking about little stuff.”
