Former Buffalo Bill Continues Charitable Work In Western New York
Harrison Phillips did a lot for the Western New York community while he was here with the Buffalo Bills. Even though he is on another team, he's still helping kids here.
Harrison Phillips was a huge pick up for the Bills when he was drafted in 2018. He was certainly overshadowed that year by a couple other guys that were drafted the same year. Of course, I'm talking about Josh Allen and Tremaine Edmunds who were both picked up in the first round of that draft.
He was quickly billed as the second coming of Kyle Williams which is a lot to live up to. But off the field, he really shined with his charitable efforts with his foundation that he called Playmakers. It focused on kids who were at-risk and mentally challenged.
He was named the Buffalo Walter Payton Man of the year for how much he gave back to the community.
Then this summer, the Bills lost Phillips in free agency to the Minnesota Vikings. Not only did the Bills lose a huge force on the field, but Western New York lost a great guy that made charity as much his life's work as playing football was.
Who would fill his shoes? This past weekend we got the answer to that question.
No one really needed to fill his shoes because he's still in them. But he did bring along some friends to help carry on the legacy.
Phillips returned this past weekend along with current Buffalo Bill Reggie Gilliam to take some kids shopping for back to school supplies at the Walmart in Hamburg. Each of the kids that were involved were able to take $50 to spend on anything that they might need to head back to class in the fall.
"Education was extremely important to me. So anytime it's around the school season, I like to bring the kids to make sure they have all the things they need. I thought it was fun to have that new folder that new binder, pen, or pencil so that got excited to get into school." - Harrison Phillips
Phillips is a graduate of Stanford. He will be missed in Buffalo on and off the field but says he will be back to do some Playmakers events.