Given their incredible resources and stature in the communities, NFL teams have a opportunity to make a difference daily.
Thursday, the Buccaneers did just that, writing a check for $15,000 and sending players out to lift the spirits of a youth football team that saw their season nearly go up in smoke.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, the Tampa Bay Lions youth team lost all their equipment when arsonists set fire to their facility on June 12.
They had previously been the victims of vandalism, with someone stealing equipment, spray-painting their locker room and defecating in the water coolers. (In other news, what the hell is wrong with people?)
But the Bucs stepped up to provide enough money to replace the shoulder pads, helmets and uniforms lost, along with a temporary storage unit. They also sent players to run a quick camp with the players.
“We wanted to make sure the kids had what they need to play a safe game,” said Kevin Brown, the team’s senior manager of community relations. “As an organization, we knew this was right.”
Teams across the league make similar gestures often. They can. They should. But sometimes when the news is dominated by mayhem, it’s the kind of thing you need to hear.