'Giving back, it means a lot' | Keon Coleman launches foundation and hosts first annual coat drive

Nov 21, 2024 at 09:00 AM

Dorian Alerte

Contributing Correspondent

Bills star rookie receiver Keon Coleman is used to making plays on the field and now he's making moves off the field in the Buffalo community.

Coleman launched his own charity called the Keon Coleman Family Foundation.

"It's always been a thought," Coleman said. "Growing up, always wanted to be able to give back to whatever community I got drafted to and show love to them, show that appreciation to all the fans that come out and support me on Sunday and my teammates. The basis behind it is, I don't have a set cause for whatever individual thing is, but I like the Big Brother Big Sister programs, Boys and Girls programs, after school programs, so pretty much just a variety of different things in the community to help give back to the kids."

Coleman said that when he got drafted, his number one goal was to be able to give back to whichever community drafted him.

"The Keon Coleman Family Foundation was established out of a deep sense of gratitude and a lifelong commitment to service. Its mission is to strengthen communities by empowering youth, providing resources, and creating opportunities for personal growth. Through mentorship, support programs, and positive role models, the foundation strives to inspire the next generation and help them become leaders in their communities," the website says.

From the mission statement on the website, Coleman believes that youth across the country have untapped potential and with the right encouragement, that can lead to growth. Coleman has also benefitted from having mentorship in his life and is passionate about providing those same opportunities for others through his foundation.

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He said the culture of the Buffalo Bills and giving back is what helps to motivate him to continue to be involved in the community.

"I think here is definitely the culture," Coleman said. "Outside the culture, it's a personal thing for me. I felt I thrived well being able to socialize with my fellow friends that were amongst myself growing up in programs like this, and just being able to enjoy and have fun and it's a lifetime experience."

Coleman has been involved with the Boys and Girls club of Buffalo and on Monday, he surprised more than 80 kids from the Boys and Girls Club of Buffalo with winter coats, a tour of Highmark Stadium and pizza.

"Just being able to have fun and enjoy the day with me," Coleman said. "Looking forward to a good time. We're about to run around. We're about to have fun. We're gonna forget it's cold, it's chilly outside, it's extended recess."

Coleman hopes that this will be an annual event.

"Buffalo is a very cold place," Coleman said. "It gets very cold in the winter… So, a nice, warm jacket is much needed, gloves and hats."

Coleman made headlines when he was drafted for wearing a yellow coat from Macy's. While it was not his intention to gain notoriety from wearing the coat and that he was just being himself, he said that he is using it as a launching point for the greater good.

"It kind of just happened," Coleman said. "It wasn't very intentional. Just played out how it played out. But now you could use it for a greater good. Make sure everybody else get the coats, too."

Rookie receivers connecting after the game 🤝#Bills WR Keon Coleman caught up with #Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy postgame, with Worth signing his jersey before giving it to Coleman.

Bright future for both players on great teams.#BillsMafia @WGRZ pic.twitter.com/Nbj5iAyrds
— Jonathan Acosta (@_jacosta) November 18, 2024

In attendance was Aaliyah Paulk who was grateful for the opportunity to meet Coleman.

"It's pretty cool," Paulk said. "It's not something that everybody has the opportunity to do."

Coleman felt it was important for all the children in attendance to have coats and is appreciative of the Buffalo community and wants to give back in any way that he can.

"Giving back, it means a lot," Coleman said. "You're a player that kids beg their parents to bring them to games, Thursday night games, Sunday night games, let them watch it past their bedtime to support you. So, I think it's just as important giving back to them in a different way."