AMHERST, N.Y. — Bornhava in Amherst helps developmentally disabled children from birth to age 5 build their lives.
Bills defensive lineman Harrison Phillips shares Bornhava's same goals with his Playmakers organization: to keep proud alumni involved and supported, while helping support the center.
Blake Cavers, a 19-year-old who went to Bornhava, gave a side eye to Phillips when 2 On Your Side's Julianne Pelusi asked him who would pull more weeds at Saturday's charity event to help landscape where the children play.
"He said 'no,' " Cavers said with a laugh, knowing Phillips wouldn't want to compete with his hard work.
Cavers' competitive and playful demeanor softened when he talked about the guy he wants to have right next to him on the Buffalo Bills' defensive line of the future.
"Someday I'll be drafted to the NFL and play with Harrison Phillips," Cavers said.
Phillips, who is inspired by the optimism from his friends, said, "If you go to any of my events, you see kids who are always optimistic. If we're doing a basketball game, and they miss nine shots, they're betting on themselves that they're going to make that 10th one, and that's encouraging."
The same way Phillips digs his hands into the turf on Sundays in the Fall, he got his hands dirty on Saturday in the soil, helping to freshen up the Bornhava playground and yard, along with his charity organization "The Playmakers" and Boy Scouts Troop 286.
Phillips joked he had OTAs coming up with the Bills this week but there was a pile of mulch waiting for him.