Buffalo Bills doing right in the community this offseason

The offseason is a time for rest and reflection for the Buffalo Bills, but more importantly giving back to the community.

Everyone hears about the negative headlines in regards to the majority of the NFL. The ones that usually go unnoticed are the reports of football players doing right in their town, and acting as role models to the children that hold them in such high acclaim.

Most recently, LeSean McCoy held his annual charity softball game to support his own foundation — LeSean McCoy Foundation.

Many different Buffalo players attended this event and enjoyed it as a whole, including Tyrod Taylor, Kevon Seymour and Jerry Hughes. It is good to see the players coming together as a team while engaging with the community.

Newly acquired safety, Micah Hyde, is holding a football camp for 500 kids with the goal of refurbishing worn athletic equipment and then donating it to schools.

In an interview done by Sports Buzz Ohio’s Scott Cortos, Micah Hyde was asked to detail the purpose for the camp. The football camp will be the launch pad for Hyde’s new foundation, IMagINe for Youth.

The camp is free for registration, which filled up quickly. However, they will charge $5 a person for admittance to the general public.

An excerpt from Hyde’s phone interview:

"“I’ve been to some bad (camps) and some really good ones,” Hyde said. “I’m trying to take the best things and make this camp really good.”"

Hyde’s first camp of his own comes after his participation in several others during his four-year stint as a member of the Green Bay Packers. He signed with the Bills as a free agent in March.

Turns out Hyde is a competitor even when dealing with charitable events. Should bode well for the upcoming season!

Smiles are seen by the dozen as coach Sean McDermott volunteers at Women’s and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo.

Although McDermott is no miracle worker in football or in health, the visit gave people life and spirit they lacked before. Those affected by illnesses deserve all of the support they get. And when a public figure or someone you may look up to believes in you, it is an amazing feeling.

In an interview with BuffaloBills.com McDermott stated,

“It was awesome, I was looking forward to this probably all week long.”

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It is great to see the coach already embracing the community in Buffalo and surrounding areas. These issues are bigger than football and it is good to see he realizes that.

It isn’t rare when the person gains more from an experience like this than they receive, and I believe this to be the case here.

After a year of physically dominating his opponents on the football field, fullback Patrick DiMarco decided to play with some puppies.

DiMarco recently visited the new SPCA facility in West Seneca to give the animals there some well deserved love and affection.

The new Buffalo Bills fullback claims he is an animal lover in a video which can be seen here.

“You always learn something about a person when you see a football player interacting with animals that receive a dramatic lack of attention” said Gina Browning, Chief Communications Officer at SPCA.

Patrick DiMarco has his hands full this season in blocking for LeSean McCoy, but it is good to see him helping out with his community in the offseason.

On Friday, May 12, Buffalo Bills players Kevon Seymour and Colton Schmidt paid a visit to the 13th annual Kiss Cares for Kids Radiothon.

In a day choc-full of activities, the duo kicked it off with a radio appearance specifically to discuss the importance of being active in your community and being there for the kids.

The two then made their way around the Buffalo Children’s Hospital signing autographs and putting smiles on young faces.

In an interview documented by Buffalobills.com Seymour stated:

"“I had a good time…my experience went great, It means a lot to the kids, including the families. Every single kid had a smile on their face…it made me feel good inside. It means a lot just showing the community that we care. This is our job, being a Buffalo Bill, and at the same time we can venture out and do other things for the community.”"

Every offseason is refreshing in that the players really take it upon themselves to make a difference in a community. We can yell and scream at these players all we like on game day, but who they are as a person is more important.

NFL players can set a standard among the younger generation that volunteering should be a part of everyone’s life. Everyone can use help, and there is always someone worse-off than you.

It starts with the coach instituting the culture that trickles down.

I hope to see more of the same for the remainder of the offseason!

Next: Mike Clay's 2017 game-by game, player stat predictions

What do you think of the efforts seen in the community this offseason? Leave your thoughts below!

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