Buffalo has always been an important part of former Bills quarterback Doug Flutie’s foundation for autism.
In his first of two seasons with the Bills in 1998, Flutie and his wife, Laurie, started the charity in honor of their son, Dougie Jr., after he was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3.
Flutie returns
Former Bills quarterback Doug Flutie leads the charge before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. Derek Gee/Buffalo News
Over its 25-plus-year history, the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism has distributed more than $20 million to schools and organizations that provide clinical therapies, respite services, recreational programs, social skills training, job supports and more for people affected by autism.
Flutie grew up in Natick, Mass., and played at Boston College and later for the New England Patriots, but he credits his time playing in Buffalo and the support of Western New Yorkers for the charity really taking off and growing.
The undersized yet scrappy signal caller was a fan favorite. He signed with the Bills in the 1998 offseason and began the season as the backup quarterback until entering for injured starter Rob Johnson. During his time as the Bills quarterback, Flutie had a 22-9 record and led the Bills to the playoffs twice. A cereal, Flutie Flakes, was also very popular in Buffalo, with all proceeds going to the foundation.
People are also reading…
“It wasn't just a stop, it was a big part of my NFL career. And then emotionally, with the way the fans reacted, with the Flutie Flakes and everything else,” Flutie told buffalobills.com when he was back in Buffalo in November to serve as the Legend of the Game for the Bills’ Sunday night game against the San Francisco 49ers.
"During that time, Dougie had just been diagnosed with autism, my wife was going back and forth to Boston a lot, and so I ate a lot of meals at Uncle Joe's diner, and the people there were just like family to me,” he added. “It was just a really, really fun atmosphere to play football in.”
So, it’s no surprise that Buffalo remains a focal spot for his effort to continue raising funds for the foundation. For a fifth year, he is teaming up with 74 Jersey Mike’s restaurant locations across parts of Buffalo, as well as the Fresno and New England regions, to raise money.
During March, customers at each participating location will have the option to round up their purchase or donate while placing their order, and all proceeds will go to the foundation. On March 26, participating stores will donate 100% of the day’s sales to the foundation. This effort has raised more than $2.1 million to support the autism community.
Since retiring, Flutie has been heavily involved with his foundation, starting camps for kids with autism, getting them computers and adaptive toys and providing services and facilities for them.
“It all exploded because (when) I was in Buffalo, I became the starter,” Flutie told the Boston Globe in 2023 after running the Boston Marathon at age 60 in support of the foundation. “It’s one of the things that I’m most proud of in my life is the success that we’ve had with the foundation and people that we’ve helped.”
Bills seek nominations to honor teachers
The Buffalo Bills are asking for nominations after launching the annual “M&T Bank Touchdown for Teachers” program, which recognizes local educators for outstanding contributions to their students, schools and communities.
The grand prize winner will earn a $5,000 grant for their school and a surprise visit from a Buffalo Bills player or coach. The runner-up will receive a $1,000 grant for their school. The program has recognized more than 50 educators and has awarded more than $50,000 to schools across Western New York.
Nominations can be made online through March 21 at buffalobills.com/teachers.
Hamlin foundation offers scholarships
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s charity, Chasing M’s Foundation, is offering scholarships to support underserved high school and college-bound students hoping to attend Buffalo area private high schools, trade schools or universities.
Similar to the Cincinnati youth scholarship he launched in 2024, Hamlin’s Buffalo Heroes Scholarship will provide $1,000 for 10 scholarships annually, over a three-year period. The first round of scholarships will be awarded in 2025.
Since experiencing cardiac arrest in a game in 2023, Hamlin’s charity has taken off, and he has been dedicated to increasing awareness of the need for access to AEDs to save lives.
For more information, visit chasingmsfoundation.com.
OnCore partners with Bandits for golf ball
Buffalo-headquartered golf ball maker OnCore has teamed up with the Buffalo Bandits to make new golf balls recognizing the two-time NLL defending champions.
As the officially licensed ball of the Bandits, OnCore is offering Vero X1 or X2 golf balls with the lacrosse team’s standard logo and the “Back-2-Back Champions” logo.
OnCore also offers Josh Allen sports-themed golf balls, including a new MVP product, celebrating the Buffalo Bills quarterback’s recent honor. Allen is an Oncore ambassador.
THE LATEST
A decking materials manufacturer plans to invest $77 million to move into a big Lackawanna facility.
Two Buffalo baristas are allies of the Trump administration in its efforts to disband the National Labor Relations Board.
Northern Lights Candles is moving some of its jobs from Wellsville to Bradford, Pa.
Workers at the ATI plant in Lockport turned down their latest contract offer.
How the Covid-19 pandemic changed the way we shop.
The Towne Gardens plaza and housing complex is poised for big changes under a new owner.
ACV Auctions is moving to the New York Stock Exchange.
The state entity overseeing the new Buffalo Bills stadium project is preparing to spend at least 10% more than last year.
Free shuttle buses are coming to Canalside this summer.
As construction on the new Buffalo Bills stadium enters the homestretch, the state entity overseeing the project is spending more.
A Town of Tonawanda company that does deliveries for Amazon is closing, eliminating 129 jobs.
The cost of living in the Buffalo Niagara region remains a lot less than in many big city markets.
Per Scholas aims to build the region's technology workforce with people who might otherwise have been left behind.
A college basketball tournament is expected to bring more than $4 million to Buffalo over two years.
The union representing some workers at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum is filing unfair labor practice charges over staffing shifts.
The pace of PSL sales at the new Buffalo Bills stadium has picked up now that sales efforts are focused on less pricey seats.
Shea's is kicking off renovations of the 710 Theater next door.
A Dallas firm gains edge in STAMP data center race. Three firms were vying to build data centers at the park.
The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the region’s economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.
Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com.
0 Comments
The business news you need
Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.