On Wednesday, Bank of America and the Washington Commanders teamed up to host about 50 young athletes from Special Olympics chapters across the District, Maryland, and Virginia for an afternoon of football drills, teamwork and community connection at Northwest Stadium.
From 4:00 to 6:15 p.m., participants learned on-field skills and life lessons from Commanders legends Santana Moss, Alfred Morris, and Josh Morgan. The Listen In With KNN media team was also on site to cover the event.
“To put on a clinic for the athletes… that is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Derrick Perkins, Bank of America’s Greater Washington, D.C. market executive, told the press at the event.
Moss, a wide receiver for 14 seasons in the NFL, set a Washington record with 1,483 receiving yards in 2005. He spent 10 years with the team, ranking third in catches (581), fourth in yards (7,867) and seventh in touchdowns (47). The Commanders inducted him into their Ring of Fame during the season opener against the New York Giants.
Morris, drafted in 2012, made two Pro Bowls as one of the league’s top young running backs. He played for Washington, the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants before retiring in 2020 after an eight-year NFL career.
Morgan, a Virginia Tech standout, played for Washington and San Francisco before moving into public service.
The event marked the second annual football clinic hosted in partnership with Bank of America, the Washington Commanders, and Special Olympics.
“These athletes are some of the best athletes in the country from Maryland, D.C. and Virginia,” Perkins said. “We’re excited to have them and we’re glad they made time for us today.”
The clinic is part of Bank of America’s Sports with Us program, an umbrella initiative designed to expand youth access to sports and community engagement.
Earlier this year, the company launched its “Golf with Us” initiative alongside Youth on Course during the Masters Tournament, providing children aged 6 to 18 with discounted access to courses nationwide.
In football, Bank of America has partnered with Special Olympics and the Commanders to remove barriers and create more inclusive playing fields.
Wednesday’s session brought together not only the three NFL veterans but also the Commanders’ mascot Major Tuddy, the Command Force spirit squad, and leaders from Bank of America and Special Olympics.
“You can feel the energy in the town right now,” Perkins told reporters. “We had a big win on Sunday, hopefully we have a big win tomorrow and they can continue to participate in that feeling. Coming onto the field, running out through the tunnel just like the athletes did on Sunday.”
Organizers said the clinic’s goal was to help participants build confidence, develop skills, and embrace opportunities both on and off the field.
“This is how you build a community,” Perkins said.
With more than 1,300 youths having joined Bank of America clinics since 2022, the program continues to grow across the country.
By teaming up with community partners in the DMV, the company is extending its reach and underscoring its focus on accessibility and engagement in youth sports.
Photo credit: Fox Sports Radio Photographer Yohan Maitland
