Buffalo's Tyrel Dodson Named Week 16 NFLPA Community MVP
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tyrel Dodson has been named the Week 16 NFLPA Community MVP after he treated a group of single moms to a holiday shopping spree event.
“I'm honored to be recognized for something that I love to do,” Dodson said. “I love giving back and finding ways to help people who are impacted by some of the same things that had an impact on my life.”
Christmas came early for four single moms from the YWCA of Western New York thanks to the Buffalo Bills linebacker, who gifted each with a $500 gift card to help complete their wish list and make for a stress-free holiday. Dodson was joined at the outreach event by a handful of his teammates, including Terrel Bernard, Tyler Matakevich, Baylon Spector and Dorian Williams. They accompanied each mom as they browsed through the aisles, sharing tips and encouragement as these “superwomen” shopped for their families.
Dodson also gifted each single mom with jewelry pieces, a Christmas tree, ornaments and gingerbread houses for them to decorate with their children. The linebacker and his Bills teammates concluded the special outing by showing off their gift-wrapping skills as they helped package the ladies’ presents.
“Giving back to hard-working moms is a special initiative to me,” said Dodson, who was raised by a single mom. “I know how hard my mom worked to provide for my brother and I, and I hope this was a memorable experience for them and their children.”
The fifth-year veteran has made it a point through his foundation to focus on creating experiences for youth and the underserved while teaching them life skills through sports, events and special gatherings. Each year during the offseason, he hosts his annual youth football camp at his former high school in Franklin, Tennessee to serve as a reminder for each participant that the adversities they may face in life do not have to determine their destination, that they can reach their life goals by staying focused and putting in the work.
This year, Dodson has focused his charitable giving on the Buffalo community. He worked with the Brothers of Mercy retirement home, providing the residents with medical-grade air purifiers and hosted an arcade day for the Best Buddies in Buffalo program. Dodson also raised $10,000 for snow relief to aid those experiencing homeless through Friends of Night in Western New York. And for Giving Tuesday, he treated four single moms and their kids to an exclusive, VIP experience at the Bills facility, where he took them on a tour, gave them some team swag and brought them down to the field to toss around a football.
“I enjoy meeting new people and establishing connections,” the Texas A&M alum said. “Through this, I'm able to give the community hope and inspiration. It also brings me back to my roots, which makes me appreciate my journey, both on and off the field.”
In honor of Dodson being named this week’s Community MVP, the NFLPA is making a $10,000 contribution to his foundation or charity of choice. In turn, Dodson will take part in a virtual or in-person visit to a school or children’s hospital. Along with the other 2023-24 Community MVPs, he will also become eligible for this year’s Alan Page Community Award, which is the highest honor that the NFLPA can bestow upon a player.
Now in its 10th season, the Community MVP campaign is part of the NFLPA’s continued efforts to support the year-round, civic outreach and engagement of its player members. Please visit the NFLPA Community MVP website to learn more about the program.
2023-24 NFLPA Community MVP winners:
Week 1: Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings
Week 2: Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Week 3: Justin Hardee, New York Jets
Week 4. Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions
Week 5: Arik Armstead, San Francisco 49ers
Week 6: Emmanuel Ogbah, Miami Dolphins
Week 7: Calais Campbell, Atlanta Falcons
Week 8: Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 9: Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants
Week 10: Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
Week 11: Jalen Pitre, Houston Texans
Week 12: Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans
Week 13: Lawrence Guy, New England Patriots
Week 14: Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos
Week 15: Harrison Phillips, Minnesota Vikings
Week 16: Tyrel Dodson, Buffalo Bills
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The National Football League Players Association is the union for professional football players in the National Football League. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of assuring proper recognition and representation of players’ interests. The NFLPA has shown that it will do whatever is necessary to assure that the rights of players are protected—including ceasing to be a union, if necessary, as it did in 1989. In 1993, the NFLPA again was officially recognized as the union representing the players and negotiated a landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL. The current CBA will govern the sport through the 2030 NFL season. Learn more at www.nflpa.com.