BERKELEY — The sky might’ve been overcast, but the environment at Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon was pure gold.
Cal hosted its fourth annual Golden Buddies Football Clinic, giving kids with and without intellectual disabilities a day to play ball and go through drills with Bears players on their home turf, in partnership with The Olden Bears Fund, the Cameron Institute, the Special Olympics of Northern California and Exceptional Sports (E-sports).
Over 400 children and families showed up, joining several Cal football players, making for what E-Sports executive director and Berkeley alum Ray Kim called the annual event’s largest turnout yet.
“This was sheer inspiration, inclusion at its best,” Kim said. “Seeing their eyes wide open with all the possibilities, I think it helped these kids realize that there's a bigger world, where they're included, where they're seen, where they matter.
“Seeing all the Cal players taking the time out and giving their hearts … this is how you change the world. You change the world one life at a time, and that's what inclusion is about. It's about building these close relationships, helping people see that they belong.”
Offensive lineman Bastian Swinney, linebacker BJ Jones and quarterback Alonzo Esparza served as the emcees on the afternoon.
“Dude, it's awesome giving back, man,” Swinney said. “It's so fulfilling. And I just love that we're able to build a community around these kids. It just really strengthens our team, honestly, in our bond. Like, getting out here and working together, helping give these kids an amazing day, it's truly something special. I love it.”
“We've been working on this for a couple months now,” Esparza added. “We finally got to come out here and make it happen. Good to see my buddies out here and giving their best — showing that they care meant a lot to me … It was totally rewarding to get to see this happen today. Made a lot of kids' days and just really, really fun.”
Esparza mentioned that he had dedicated Fridays, Mondays and even some weekends to make the day perfect for the Golden Buddies participants and their families.
Jones, meanwhile, was well-versed in the proceedings, despite being a first-time emcee.
His younger brother Xander, whom you may remember from his heartwarming score to end Cal’s Spring Game, is Autistic and has previously participated in the clinic.
Jones himself helped operate drills in previous years, but — despite currently recovering from a broken fibula — he was thrilled to have a bigger role this time around.
“I enjoyed the experience of planning with Zo and Bastian,” Jones said. “It was a great experience. Definitely appreciated everyone coming out.
As for his brother?
“Xander had a great time,” Jones said. “He really loved it. I think my brother had a great time getting coached and getting different people leading him around and having fun (with) football.”
Countless other Cal players, including quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele and running back Adam Mohammed, were on hand, leading drills, dishing out passes and high-fives and making sure everyone left inspired.
But one extra-special Bear was back in Berkeley on Saturday: former six-year offensive lineman Matthew Cindric, who helped found the Golden Buddies Football Clinic in 2023.
“It means a lot to me that they kept this going, and to see how it’s growing,” Cindric said. “I think the first year, we had 30 or 40 kids, and to see today, it’s really special … just love giving back to the community that really helped me during my six long years here. Getting to get back and make sure that other people feel included in the game of football is really awesome.”
“It’s really cool to see guys who you see on Saturday nights,” Cindric added about the strong contingent of Cal players. “JKS and some of these guys coming out here and giving their time — they don’t need to do that. It means a lot to me. These kids are going to walk away with a memory for the rest of their lives. It’s a testament to the type of guys Cal brings in, and what Coach (Justin) Wilcox did previously and what Coach (Tosh) Lupoi is doing now.”
The Golden Buddies Football Clinic is growing as a Berkeley staple — a fitting fact for those who know the lengthy history of late Cal alum Ed Roberts, who is remembered as the “Father of the Independent Living movement,” as the university’s first wheelchair-using student.
In fact, Kim mentioned that there could be similar clinics with other Cal sports teams down the line.
Saturday at Memorial Stadium, though, was yet another hit. And for the children, families and Bears who attended, it was a time they’ll never forget.
“Every single kid here realized that they're special, and that's what we're about,” Kim said. “That's what inclusion’s about. There are no limits. There are no disabilities when you're together among friends who believe in each other, who want to bring the best out of each other and who advocate for each other.
“So, just a phenomenal day … seeing the families come away inspired (and) seeing their hearts lifted, you couldn't ask for a better day.”
