The Washington Commanders and Bank of America welcomed 75 Special Olympics athletes from across the DMV to Northwest Stadium on Friday, Oct. 23, for the third annual Sports with Us Clinic, promoting inclusion through the power of sports.
Former Washington Redskins players Santana Moss, a current on-air analyst for the Commanders and Alfred Morris who recently spiked the spear for the Commanders as a franchise legend during week five of the NFL season joined teens and young adults from Special Olympics programs in Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia for the free football clinic, helping participants develop skills both on and off the field.
The event also featured appearances from the Commanders’ mascot, Major Tuddy, and the Command force entertainment team, who cheered on participants throughout the afternoon.
As part of its continued commitment to supporting Special Olympics athletes, Bank of America presented the DMV delegations with $15,000 each, totalling $45,000 in donations to support their respective programs.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Commanders to host our third consecutive Sports with Us clinic, celebrating the extraordinary talent of our local Special Olympics athletes,” said Tanmika Hysmith, market executive for Bank of America greater Washington, D.C. “ Investing in our community is at the heart of everything we do, and the power of sport offers an unmatched platform to foster inclusion and connection.”
The clinic marked the third consecutive year that Bank of America, the Commanders and Special Olympics organizations across the DMV have collaborated to provide young athletes with opportunities to develop their confidence and athletic abilities.
Participation has grown since last year’s event, which welcomed approximately 50 athletes from across the region. The 2025 clinic also featured former Washington player Josh Morgan alongside Moss and Morris
Moss, who spent 10 seasons with Washington, and Morris, who played four seasons with the franchise, participated in the event as part of the organization’s ongoing efforts to engage with the local community.
During his time at Washington, Morris earned two Pro Bowl selections after being drafted by the franchise in 2012.
The initiative builds on Bank of America’s two-decade partnership with the Commanders, which focuses on strengthening communities throughout the Greater Washington region.
Since 2022, more than 3,400 young people have participated in the Bank of America’s Sports with Us clinics nationwide, reflecting the company’s broader effort to increase access to athletic opportunities for youth and families.
The company has also expanded its youth sports initiatives beyond football, launching Golf With Us in partnership with Youth on Course in 2025. Bank of America’s relationship with the Special Olympics extends nearly 50 years, with the organizations collaborating through philanthropic giving, workforce development and volunteerism.
Friday’s clinic continued that partnership, bringing together professional football figures and young athletes to celebrate the role sports can play in fostering inclusion and creating opportunities for individuals of all abilities.
Digital and Editorial Intern at Listen In With KNN
Senior at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism
UMD '27
Senior at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism
UMD '27