MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. — Seattle Seahawks guard and Muskegon High School alum Anthony Bradford is back in Muskegon.
"I love giving back to my people," Bradford said. "It's a good refresher for me, going into training camp, just being back with the people and folks, that's what I love to do."
Bradford appeared at a block party hosted and funded by Muskegon Family Care. The event was held at Muskegon Heights Academy.
"I feel like it [does] something for the kids, for them to be able to see me in real life," he said.
The block party is part of a greater mission by Muskegon Family Care to bridge the gap in medical care for communities of color.
"Part of our mission is to remove barriers for care," said Laurie Carter, director of operations of Muskegon Family Care. "We can bring awareness to our services: medical, dental, behavioral health. We have optometry, transportation, this event makes that possible."
Free food, live performances, and games were available for kids to play. It included football drills run by volunteers in the area.
The event, for many, gave off a family vibe.
"It's an event where we can all get together really have fun and just really see one another in different positions and different lights," said Tracy McDaniel, chief executive officer of Muskegon Family Care.
Bradford prepares for Seahawks training camp at the end of the month but had to stop by the community that propelled his NFL dreams.
"Muskegon helped me become who I am, for sure, like entirely, like becoming a man responsibility, you know, being coachable, all that type of stuff to tie into the lifestyle," Bradford said.
"Muskegon had everything and anything to do with who I am today."
Bradford is entering his second year in the NFL. He was drafted in the fourth round by Seattle in the 2023 NFL Draft.
"I'm geeked up. I ain't gonna lie to you, I'm gonna turn it up this year, for sure. Rookie year went greater than expected," Bradford said.
"What I'm trying to work on is just being more consistent, working on my pass [protection] stuff like that, little fundamentals, but really just being a complete player. Just clean it up a little bit."