The Detroit Lions donated a new football field to the Boys and Girls Club in Detroit

DETROIT — Before signing with the Detroit Lions this summer, Avonte Maddox, a Detroit native and King High School standout, made it a point to always give back to his community.

Now back in Detroit for the first time in 13 years, he’s making it a point to get more involved in the community, an endeavor that formally began earlier this week.

Maddox was front and center at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new football field at the Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan’s (BGCSEM) Dauch Club on the city’s west side.

The Lions donated the field, which will be used mostly by the club’s BGC Lions football and cheerleading teams.

“I’ve never been here when I was growing up,” Maddox told reporters. “I don’t think this was around at the time. Coming back here, it’s really great to see all of these chances for the kids. I used to live in Detroit as a child, and I did not have access to things like these.

“Coming back and seeing that it’s available for all of the kids here right now is always a blessing, and I just want to contribute in any way I can. Hearing about this opportunity, getting up here to talk and visit the kids, is definitely something I want to do.

Roxanne Caine, vice president of the Detroit Lions Foundation & Community Relations, told MLive that this is the second field the organization has contributed in recent years.

“This (donation) has been a couple of years in the making,” said Caine. “We began with one field at the (BGCSEM) Diehl Center and increased to two. So it requires some time for the field to be properly erected, such as ensuring good drainage and grass growth.

And the Boys & Girls Club has been a great partner in ensuring that its pupils have safe and accessible fields.

“The community has given us so much, and we want to repay that love. And what better way to invest in our youth than to help them learn, play, and enjoy the game? We want to ensure that children have access to learning. We want to ensure that they have secure areas to play, as well as the appropriate equipment, so that they may fully enjoy the game.”

For Maddox, who grew up on the opposite side of town, witnessing the Lions give back to Detroit and being able to participate in it personally hit home. During the event, he bonded with former instructors and community members whom he had not seen in years.

He described the experience as only one of many he intends to have as he seeks to broaden his humanitarian efforts now that he has returned home.

“I haven’t really sat down and really gotten to it yet, but when opportunities present themselves like this, I never say no to ’em,” Maddox advised. “I get out here as much as possible. And then I got a few things with my brother, such as cooking sandwiches and other items to donate to the homeless. I will take advantage of any opportunity to get out in the neighborhood.”

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