Highland Park's Buddy Bowl Helps Shine the Light on Special Needs Athletes in a Unique Way

Brayden Schager is the starting quarterback for the University of Hawaii but before that, he threw for over 3,000 yards for the Scots in 2020. Impressive stats for his one year as the Highland Park starter. But what he and his sister created off the field may have been his greatest accomplishment.

The "HP Buddy Bowl" is a chance for many athletes with special needs to shine. Schager and his sister, Brielle, have always bonded with their friends with disabilities. Using an idea they saw from Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey, they started a special game that featured these incredible athletes. The first game was in 2017 and has taken off from there.

The Highland Park football team has really embraced this effort. Each Scot teams up with a “buddy” and spends the entire day with them. From the Red carpet (nats) to face painting to teaching some techniques they’ve picked up on the football field.

Every special athlete has a play designed for them and an opportunity to hear the crowd roar like they do for the Scots on Friday nights.

This past May was the 5th year of the event and the Schagers look forward to many more years of the Buddy Bowl.