Jaguars players surprise youth football team, donate $5K grant

Jags surprise local youth football team (WJXT)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Off the field, the Jacksonville Jaguars were giving back to the community on Thursday.

Jags players crashed the RAW Athletics Youth Football practice to get in some training and surprise the athletes.

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Raw Athletics Jax is dedicated to youth sports and supporting local student athletes.

“The NFL is nothing without its fans and its communities that support it... so we’re excited to give back and pay it forward,” Linebacker Dennis Gardeck said.

Jags surprise local youth football team (WJXT)

The players worked on defensive drills with the youth football team on Thursday afternoon.

The team also partners with the Dick’s Sporting Good Foundation to donate $5,000 toward the Sports Matter Grant.

Jags surprise local youth football team (WJXT)

RAW Athletics Coach Rickey Wakefield told News4JAX that the surprise meant everything.

“It’s an opportunity for kids to come out and still be kids... and play the game the way it’s supposed to be played, that’s all I can ask for,” Rickey said.