Lynch, McGee step up as Gus Macker sponsors
With an assist from Buffalo Bills players Terrence McGee and Marshawn Lynch, the Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament will return for an 18th year this summer.
McGee and Lynch are major financial sponsors of the event, which will be held June 27 and 28 on the streets of downtown Buffalo. It is believed this is the first time two of Buffalo's professional athletes have supported this event out of their own pockets.
"They are really doing something pretty historic for the Gus Macker," Mayor Byron W. Brown said of McGee and Lynch at a news conference at New Era Cap headquarters. "Not only are they devoting some of their time, but they are putting up their personal dollars to support this event. It shows the kind of commitment that Terrence McGee and Marshawn Lynch have to the community and to the youth of the community."
"Athletes have a lot of causes to contribute to," said Doug Hendrickson, the California-based agent for Lynch, who was traveling from the West Coast and couldn't attend the news conference. "Marshawn realizes this is a very good event in Buffalo and they were looking for funding. He realizes the economy is down and unfortunately programs like this are the ones that suffer.
"Marshawn wanted to give back to Buffalo and be involved in something that is near and dear to him. Basketball is near and dear to him as well as kids. He thought it was a great opportunity to get involved along with Terrence to support an event that is important to the city."
McGee heard about the Macker through his agent, Ron Raccuia of Buffalo. The city's tournament is the largest in the country, attracting more than 4,000 players and 40,000 spectators last year.
McGee didn't need much convincing when asked to get involved with sponsoring the Macker, especially because of the causes it serves. All proceeds go to the Police Athletic League and Kids Escaping Drugs.
"It is a good way to give back to the community," McGee said at the news conference. "It was a good way for me to do something that was going to help kids. I know drugs are a big thing in the U.S. Any time you can try to help kids, give them a brighter future and better chance to get off the streets, I'm there for you."
Raccuia said the Macker is among several local charities McGee has embraced since joining the Bills.
"Terrence is terrific when it comes to things like the Macker and what it represents," Raccuia said. "The PAL and Kids Escaping Drugs are two great organizations that he's helped out in the past. So this is the perfect event for him to be a part of."
Teams can now register online at macker.com or at New Era and all Wegmans locations. The registration fee is $140 per team.
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