New York State In-depth

“We have to do our part”

In the words of Martin Luther King, “Greatness is determined by service; all you need is a heart filled with grace and a soul begotten by love.” King’s powerful words and instrumental actions reflect his dedication to serving those around him. And to ensure that his commitment to the community inspires others to follow his example, MLK Day officially became the only federal holiday designated National Day of Service in 1994 to encourage Americans to volunteer for the betterment of their communities to engage.

This commitment influences Buffalo Bills and other members of the NFL community as they work to achieve a more equal and equitable future through the NFL’s Inspire Change campaign. To come together as an NFL family, the campaign supports community organizations focused on education, economic advancement, police-community relations and criminal justice reform.

“It gives us the platform to give back to our communities, to give back and be a part of all the charities and foundations we love and worship,” said S. Micah Hyde. “I think we’re all very blessed to be able to give back and a lot of guys in this locker room and in our league are doing that.”

Hyde and Dawkins, who give back to the Buffalo community through charity softball games and cornhole tournaments, are members of the Player Community Leadership Committee, which supports the campaign’s efforts. And 2022 Bill’s Walter Payton man of the year nominee Dawkins believes one of the most important things is giving back to the community, something anyone can do, especially those in the NFL.

“I feel like an athlete, it’s just in our job description,” Dawkins said. “We have to do our bit and that really inspires others to do the same. If you step in and help your town, someone else feels like maybe I should. It just becomes this chain reaction like I mentioned.”

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