Buffalo Bills rookie Ray Davis reflects on the brotherly bond that changed his life
Buffalo, New York — Buffalo Bills rookie running back Ray Davis took the field on Dec. 1 at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, and made a beeline for Patrick Dowley.
During the Bills’ Sunday Night Football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Davis put a photo on his sneakers to commemorate the day he first met Dawley some 17 years ago.
“He looked right at me, pointed at me and said, ‘Are you Patrick?'” Dawley told CBS News of their first meeting. “I said, ‘Yeah, I am.’ He said, ‘Man, you have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to see you. “
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In 2007, Davis was 8 years old and living in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood when he saw a flyer for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
Davis was homeless at times when he was younger. He said his parents were in and out of his life and he longed for stability. So he signed up for Big Brother.
“I just need love, man,” Davis said. “I needed consistency. I needed someone there to teach me right from wrong.”
That person is Dawley.
“That will always be my big brother,” Davis said.
They spent countless Sundays together. From the early days of Pop Warner football games to Dawley’s wedding, Davis was like part of the family.
While always grateful, Davis had not been able to fully express his gratitude until this week like he did Sunday, when the Bills honored Dawley during a pregame ceremony.
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Then, Davis even rushed for a touchdown against his big brother in the Bills’ 35-10 win over the Niners. The cherry on top of all those Sundays.
“For anyone who’s ever thought about doing it, it’s not that difficult,” Dawley said of becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister. “Don’t overthink how you can make a difference in your child’s life.”
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