Something positive and exciting happened in Malton today.
For a couple of hours, the lingering memories of six homicides this year, as well as countless other shootings, stabbings and robberies, were all swept aside. They were replaced with giddy screams of excitement and laughter.
The reason for the collective outburst was the Buffalo Bills. About 15 rookies from the National Football League team visited Lincoln M. Alexander Secondary School for a meet-and-greet with the student body and also to drop off $3,000 worth of new equipment for the school's up-and-coming football program.
"Something like this helps alleviate the issues in the community," said Matthew Ferguson, head coach of the first-year Lynx. "Look around here. Look at the faces on these kids. They're excited. Something like this raises the spirit in the community and helps kids stay on the right track."
"This community is starving for attention and for the Bills to pick us is just outstanding," added school principal Anthony Edwards.
It hasn't been easy getting a football program off the ground at the school. Lincoln Alexander had a junior team last year but it's gone now, replaced by a senior squad. Ferguson explained there just aren't enough coaches available to support two teams.
But through that junior team, the school and Ferguson established a relationship with NFL Canada and the relationship just continued to grow.
"Kids face a lot of challenges as they grow up," said Brian Findlay, a spokesman for NFL Canada. "The NFL wants to support kids and support football wherever it's played."
He said the donation and appearance by the Bills' rookies has nothing to do with the fact the Buffalo team will be playing some regular-season games in Toronto over the next five years.
"This would be happening without the Bills playing here," said Findlay.
The players had a question-and-answer session with the students and in between the cheering and screaming, the Bills all delivered the same advice and encouragement: Stay in school, get an education, persevere and strive to reach dreams.
"It's lots of fun doing things like this," said rookie starting cornerback Leodis McKelvin, Buffalo's first choice in the NFL draft. "You see the smiles on the kids' faces. That's why I like coming out to things like this."
"I've never seen anything like this before," said Lincoln fullback Jermaine Lewis, saying he had never met a professional athlete until yesterday. "It's a big motivation for me. I definitely want to play pro football."
The pads, helmets and other equipment the Bills dropped off will definitely come in handy for the school, winless in five starts in Peel high school play this season. The school has had to rent equipment from a minor football program in Georgetown.
"Something good happened in Malton today," said Ferguson.