This past weekend, Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy brought his annual charity softball game to Frontier Field in Rochester, NY.
This was the 4th annual event and the second time that it has been hosted in the Buffalo Bills’ summer home of Rochester. McCoy’s charity, Shades of Greatness, is a nonprofit organization that:
“Raises awareness, educates and serve as a direct impact to an individual or family in need who has been diagnosed with or affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).” — according to his website.
Watching his late grandmother battle through the daily struggles of living with ALS inspired McCoy to support families and individuals that have been touched, or who are currently living with the challenges of ALS.
This year’s event was supposed to include both a home run derby featuring Buffalo Bills players, followed by a softball game, where Bills players would have competed against local heroes comprised of police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians. However, due to soggy conditions, only the home run derby took place.
Current Bills players that participated in the derby included: DT Jerel Worthy, LB Lorenzo Alexander, OL Michael Ola, RB Cedric O’Neal, DE Jerry Hughes, TE Charles Clay, CB Kevon Seymour, DT Marcell Dareus and of course the host, RB LeSean McCoy.
Highly promoted second year CB Kevon Seymour came out swinging, blasting 7 HR’s in the first round. Second best in the first round was DE Jerry Hughes, who hit 4 home runs. Similar to how we have seen Jerry Hughes save some of his best pass rushes for the 4th quarter, Hughes saved his best for the final round of the derby, sending 6 HR’s over the fence in the final. This was compared to Seymour’s surprising 0 in the final.
Hughes was crowned the latest winner of the annual HR derby. The last time the event was in Rochester, the derby was won by former Bills and now Patriots WR Chris Hogan.
Bringing the event back to Rochester is yet another example of just how much LeSean McCoy has embraced the Buffalo community over the past few years. McCoy even said as much this spring, when he called Buffalo “home” when speaking to the media:
"“It’s a big difference . . . big difference. Just like, hanging around Buffalo, there are times where I hang out on the weekends here. Before, every chance I got, I tried to leave and get out of here. Even just like family members coming up. You go from a place where you’re always there to somewhere else, you’ve got to adjust and adapt, and I’ve done that. This is like home to me.”"
Fully embracing his new home and role in the community, McCoy is primed for a huge year. Even bigger than his past two, which included being the front man to the best rushing team in the NFL for two years running.
Make sure to check out the Shades of Greatness Foundation, a truly remarkable way for LeSean McCoy to respond to losing his grandmother to ALS years ago and to make positive change in our community and in the world.
Next: Fitting Reggie Ragland into the depth chart
Let’s hear your thoughts Bills fans! Do you think Shady fully embracing the city will result in an even bigger year on the field?