Oakland Students Spend Day with NFL Players

Former and current NFL stars connect with Emerson Elementary students through drills, competitions, and community investment.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 9:31pm

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Former and current National Football League players spent Thursday meeting with students at Emerson Elementary School in Oakland. The NFL Players Association Community MVP Day featured students running drills, having friendly competitions, and making memories with the NFL players. The event marked the first time many students were able to see their sports heroes up close, including Denver Broncos player Garett Bolles and San Francisco 49ers player Bryce Huff. Between the NFL Players Association and matching contributions, they are investing $15,000 back into the school.

Why it matters

The event provided an opportunity for NFL players to connect with underprivileged students in Oakland, inspiring them and showing that the game is about more than just parties. It's a chance for the players to give back to the community and remind young people that they can reach their dreams.

The details

The NFL Players Association Community MVP Day featured students from Emerson Elementary School spending the afternoon running drills, having friendly competitions, and making memories with former and current NFL players. The event allowed the students to interact with their sports heroes, including Denver Broncos player Garett Bolles, who just won the Alan Page Community Award, and San Francisco 49ers player Bryce Huff.

  • The event took place on Thursday, February 6, 2026.

The players

Garett Bolles

A player for the Denver Broncos who recently won the Alan Page Community Award.

Bryce Huff

A player for the San Francisco 49ers who participated in the event.

Chris Draft

A former 49ers player who spoke about the importance of the event in connecting with the community.

Brandon Parker

The director of media and communications for the NFL Players Association.

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What they’re saying

“There are a bunch of parties, but to actually be able to hang out with our young people and in the process remind people that this game is more than about just the parties, it's about being able to connect with our communities.”

— Chris Draft, Former 49ers player

“You never know where they come from. They all have a story. You want to show them love because showing love to a child goes a long way.”

— Garett Bolles, Denver Broncos player

“I remember being a kid and coming to events life this with people that I looked up to and it kind of pushed me as a young kid to try to find a way to reach that level. It inspired me, so I want to do the same thing.”

— Bryce Huff, San Francisco 49ers player

“I hope that they just feel seen. A lot of these kids come from hard situations. They only see what's in front of them and they don't know 'Oh, I can reach my dreams.'”

— Brandon Parker, Director of media and communications, NFL Players Association

What’s next

The NFL Players Association and the school district plan to continue partnering on events and initiatives to support the students at Emerson Elementary School throughout the year.

The takeaway

This event demonstrates the power of professional athletes to inspire and uplift underprivileged youth, providing them with positive role models and opportunities they may not otherwise have access to. By investing in the community and connecting with students, the NFL players are making a meaningful impact that goes beyond the game.