BOSTON, Mass. — Even though it’s the offseason, one player on the New England Patriots still has his competitive juices flowing. And he’s facing some pretty stiff competition, even though they are half his size.
Patriots defensive back and special teams player Cody Davis is used to making big plays on the football field, but this winter he’s just as big of a hit off the field. “They see me with my helmet off realize I’m just a person like me and you and just trying to make it a good experience,” he said.
Cody’s love of video games inspired the NFL veteran to recently launch a charity called ‘Cody’s Gamers.’ Cody plays video games against patients at Boston Children’s Hospital, like six-year-old A.J. It’s a way to cheer up the young patients and get their minds off treatments for a little while. “Right now I’m trying to call an audible because you’re dominating me so much,” Cody said to A.J., while they were competing.
Cody started Cody’s Gamers in January. He competes one-on-one with each child with each session lasting one hour. The first 15 minutes is spent just talking with one another. “So tell me about yourself AJ, what is your favorite toy?,” Cody asked A.J. It’s as much about the kids learning about playing in the NFL as it is for Cody to learn about the children. “I think that’s my favorite part of you know talking to kids is getting to see what is on their brain and ask them some really fun questions,” he said.
It’s all about having a good team for the kids and Cody. “I had a lot of fun playing games with you today and I hope you had fun, too, buddy,” Cody commented to A.J.
Right now Cody competes against one child per month, but plans to double that soon. He also hopes to grow ‘Cody’s Gamers’ to other hospitals throughout New England.
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