Bills Veteran Arrives Late After Flying Home for Thanksgiving Dinner with 12-Year-Old “Little Brother” He Met at a Food Drive
Buffalo, NY – November 28, 2025 — Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Jordan Phillips arrived 40 minutes late to Friday’s walkthrough. Not because he overslept. Not because he skipped. But because he took a late-night flight to Oklahoma so he could spend
Thanksgiving dinner with a 12-year-old boy he met two years ago at a community food drive — a boy who lost both parents in a tragic house fire in 2023.
Phillips, 32, quietly slipped out of Buffalo on Wednesday night. He landed in Oklahoma City just after 2:45 a.m., picked up the boy — whom he lovingly calls “LJ” — and took him to a small family diner that stayed open to serve free Thanksgiving meals to anyone who needed a place to belong.
“He asked if I’d be his big brother for Thanksgiving. That’s not something I’m ever saying no to,” Phillips said after practice, wrist still wrapped in the orange volunteer bracelet from the diner.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott had initially prepared a standard fine for an unexcused late arrival. But once Phillips explained, McDermott shut it down immediately.
“There are moments where football steps aside. Jordan did the right thing. Let the business office know he’s good,
” McDermott said.
Their bond started in 2023, when Phillips visited a back-to-school charity event run through his foundation. LJ, then just 10, came with a social worker and left with new shoes, a backpack — and Phillips’ phone number. This Thanksgiving marked LJ’s second holiday season in foster care, and Phillips refused to let the boy spend it alone.
Photos spreading on social media show Phillips leaning into a booth, arm around LJ as the boy grins over a plate of turkey and mashed potatoes. Another picture shows Phillips handing out pie to kids in the diner kitchen.
Teammates weren’t surprised.
“That’s Jordan, man,” said defensive captain. “Big heart, big presence. He’ll blow up a run play, then turn around and blow someone away with how much he cares about kids who don’t have anyone.
”
Phillips, a fan favorite and one of the Bills’ emotional leaders, is nearing the end of his veteran contract — but says money isn’t the motivation.
“I remember holidays when the house was quiet. Too quiet. If I can give one kid one night where he doesn’t feel forgotten… that’s worth more than anything,
” Phillips said.
"Boston Bruins’ Henri Jokiharju Unexpectedly Placed on IR Amid Injury Uncertainty, As Team Faces Growing Defensive Crisis"
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The Boston Bruins are once again facing a significant challenge on the defensive side of the ice, as
Jokiharju’s injury adds to the growing list of defensive setbacks for the Bruins, already missing crucial players like Charlie McAvoy and Jordan Harris, who have both been sidelined due to injuries of their own. While the team has managed to stay competitive with a solid overall record, the latest injury to Jokiharju will only add more pressure on the remaining defensemen to step up.
The Bruins have been dealing with defensive woes all season, and Jokiharju’s absence will certainly be felt. With McAvoy and Harris already out, the Bruins will rely on players like
Through 25 games, Jokiharju has recorded six assists and averaged 17:23 minutes on the ice per game. His defensive contributions have been underwhelming, as he ranks second-to-last among the team’s defensemen with an
In response to the injury, the Bruins have called up Michael Callahan on an emergency basis. Callahan, who has spent most of the season with the Providence Bruins, has been a reliable depth option for the team. In
Don Sweeney, General Manager of the Bruins, expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt to the situation: “We’re still gathering all the information on Henri’s situation, but we’re confident in our depth to manage without him for now. We’ve had to adapt with injuries to key players, and we’ll continue to rely on our team to step up.”
Despite the injury concerns, Jokiharju remains committed to his recovery and has been focused on getting back to full health. In a statement, he expressed his frustration at being sidelined but emphasized the importance of focusing on recovery:
As the Bruins continue to deal with these injuries, they will need to make adjustments on the fly. Jokiharju’s absence further complicates an already difficult situation, but if anyone can manage it, it’s the Bruins, who have shown resilience despite their defensive challenges.
The Bruins will continue their push for a playoff spot, but the team’s success will depend heavily on how their defense holds up in the coming weeks without key players like
