WR Keyshawn Johnson enjoyed a chance to meet the kids in his ticket program up close and personal
Tuesday is the player's day off across the National Football League and is generally the day that most players host their charitable events. But as most NFL fans know, Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Keyshawn Johnson is not like most players.
And so it was Saturday that Johnson chose to host his annual "Key's Kids" extravaganza at Celebration Station, following an early morning practice before the Bucs' Sunday game against Atlanta.
"It's the annual party I do for my Key's Kids program, that I've had here the three years that I've been in Tampa," said Johnson. "Towards the end of every season, I like to give them a holiday party and get an opportunity to meet the kids that I invite to the home games."
The kids are all part of Johnson's "Key's Kids" program that invites youth from local Boys & Girls Clubs, Leslie Peters Halfway House, The Spring of Tampa Bay and local YMCA's to attend select Buccaneer home games courtesy of the Pro Bowl receiver.
In addition to seats at a game, the kids in the program received themed t-shirts plus a duffel bag stuffed with such Buc-themed items as pennants, stickers, pencils and water bottles.
"This is awesome," said nine-year old Pete Kendall during Saturday's party. "I got to go to a game earlier and now I get to meet Keyshawn and get some cool stuff. It's really neat and I got my picture with him, too."
During the party, the kids were treated to pizza and soda and allowed to play any of the video games at Celebration Station for free. The event turned out to be a great time for all the attending kids and a very pleasant afternoon for the man that made it all possible.
"I'm enjoying myself," said Johnson. "I've got my two kids out here with me and I'm having a lot of fun with all the kids that I've met today."
