The Sports Xchange

BATAVIA, N.Y. — Sometimes, NFL players need a break from the monotony of offseason workouts and minicamps. And when an event as important to the western New York community as Jim Kelly’s annual charity golf tournament presents an opportunity to break the monotony, all the better.

Monday, Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan herded his team and coaching staff onto three large buses and they traveled east, halfway between Buffalo and Rochester, to the town of Batavia to support en masse the iconic Kelly’s 29th annual celebrity tournament. Best of all, Ryan counted it as one of Buffalo’s NFL-allotted 10 Organized Team Activities (OTA).

“I think it should be mandatory that we have an OTA every year at a golf course; multiple, if you ask me,” quarterback Matt Cassel said with a smile. Running back Fred Jackson added, “This is one of those special treats that we get, to come out here and support Jim and what he does, and guys couldn’t ask for a better thing to do on a Monday. Guys were excited. Anytime you get to come out here and participate in something like this, and it counts as a practice, it’s basically a long weekend for us.”

Ryan took the team bowling at the end of voluntary workouts a few weeks ago, and this excursion was just another step in what he hopes is a strengthening of bonds between teammate as he tries to mold the team’s identity.

“It’s not always about putting in your offense and defense,” Ryan said of the offseason time that teams spend together. “It’s not just lip service; I want to do some things that bring the team together and this is an opportunity to get guys out and take a break from the X’s and O’s. When I heard about it, I said we’re going to take one of our OTAs off, and we also want to do it to build our team a little.”

Kelly’s tournament is the prime fundraiser for his Kelly For Kids Foundation and it annually draws a wide array of former Bills stars such as several of Kelly’s Super Bowl era teammates. Fellow Hall of Famers Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith, and Andre Reed were on hand, as were Steve Tasker, Darryl Talley, Jim Ritcher, Kenny Davis, Fred Smerlas, and many others. Actor Christopher McDonald, sportscaster Chris Berman, and Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino are also regular participants, as are members of the Buffalo Sabres alumni.

Last year, Kelly was unable to attend his own event because he was in the fight of his life, trying to beat cancer, but he was back Monday, looking fit, happy, and thankful.

“Last year when I was in the hospital, so many people came to see me, which humbled me so much by all the support I got,” Kelly said. “But to come back here and see how many people showed up and have continued to rally (was great). I could not believe the support we got, but that’s Buffalo, their hearts are so huge. There are guys I haven’t seen since two years ago; some guys I don’t see until this tournament. It feels good that I’m able to be here, and feel good, and know that they continue to come back and support us.”

“I see what the Pegulas (owners Terry and Kim) have brought here, I see what Rex Ryan has done with this team. I was just at practice on Friday. The enthusiasm that I saw from the players, it had me pumped up.”

Ryan is new in town, but it’s clear he’s working hard to indoctrinate himself into the community, and he’s smart enough to recognize that aligning himself with anything Kelly is involved with is a good idea.

“Amazing,” Kelly said when asked to comment on Ryan’s gesture. “When Rex told me that’s what they wanted to do, I was like, ‘Really?'”

Tasker, who like Kelly never left the area after he retired, is convinced that at long last, the Bills have found the right coach not only for his ability to coach and lead, but for his willingness to be a Buffalonian.

“It’s great, awesome,” Tasker said. “Moreso than (past Bills coaches), Rex seems to get it, what it’s like in Buffalo, and what’s important to everybody. You’re part of the family and you show up to family events and this is one of them.”