Former and current National Football League players spent Thursday meeting with students in Oakland. The NFL Players Association Community MVP Day featured students from Emerson Elementary School who spent the afternoon running drills, having friendly competitions and making memories with the NFL players. “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,” former 49ers player Chris Draft said of the importance of Thursday’s event. For many of the students, the event marked the first time they were able to see their sports heroes up close, including Denver Broncos player Garett Bolles, who just won the Alan Page Community Award. “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,” Bolles said. Super Bowl 14 hours ago Top Bay Area girls flag football players face off in pre-Super Bowl event Super Bowl Jan 16 Super Bowl events: List of fan festivals, concerts, tailgates, watch parties and more Super Bowl Feb 3 Oakland Super Bowl events include NFL watch party, Bad Bunny-inspired ‘Benito Bowls' San Francisco 49ers player Bryce Huff also participated in the event. “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,” Huff said. “It inspired me, so I want to do the same thing.” Between the NFL Players Association and matching contributions, they are investing $15,000 back into the school. “I hope that they just feel seen,” said Brandon Parker, director of media and communications for the NFL Players Association. “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.'” ...read more read less