Albany Firebirds play for a day with disabled children

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — About 80 local children and adults with special needs got the opportunity to play up close and personal with Albany's Firebirds inside MVP arena on Wednesday.

Under the Friday night — Wednesday morning lights rather — the children, and some adults put on their game faces. Be it drills, throwing & catching, or even break-dancing, they came to get active!

Bryce Weiler, co-founder of the Beautiful Lives Project, who is hosting this event, shared what playing with the Firebirds meant to the students.

“They are able to experience playing football. For some of them, this could be their first time throwing the football or being on the football field or interacting with professional football players,” said Weiler.

Students like second graders Jazzy & Jordan spoke with NEWS10's Zion Decoteau about how they enjoyed the event:

Zion: "What are you going to tell your friends about today when you get back to school?

Jazzy: "Um I'm gonna say, I had fun with the football team."

Zion: "Do you think you might want to play football in the future?"

Jordan: "Yes!"

He might be a man of few words but Elementary schooler John got in on the day’s action as well. 

Zion: "Did you see any players that you had fun with today?"

John: "Yes."

Zion: "What’s your favorite part about today?"

John: "Throwing the ball."

The event was a return to the classroom for Firebirds Center Shawn Lockett, who plays double duty as a life skills teacher in Massachusetts. 

“A lot of them have not been in great situations. So if we could come in and just bring a little bit of joy to their day-to-day, and hopefully just kickstart their weekend, and hopefully see some of them at their game, that's what it all means,” said Lockett.

But it's not just fun and games, Weiler said there’s a real message these children and adults can carry for the rest of their Beautiful Lives. 

“Through these opportunities, it shows the participants that they can do anything they believe in" said Weiler.

Now the event has reached maximum capacity so much so that Beautiful Lives is playing on throwing more events like this to accommodate more children.