“What this is all about”: Cheez-It Citrus Bowl foes band together at Day for Kids
By Collin Thomas
Florida Citrus Sports
Thrilling screams and laughter filled the air at Friday’s Day for Kids event at Fun Spot America.
LSU and Purdue players came together to take a break from their game prep to spend time with kids from across Orlando, including many who call the Communities of West Lakes near Camping World Stadium home. The Tigers and Boilermakers will face off Monday at 1 p.m. in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
Tigers defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo said the experience was a good lesson for the team to make an impact on young kids’ lives.
“It was a great experience to get a chance to come out here and hang out with some kids,” Wingo said. “You never know what’s going to make a kid’s day.”
For the players, Purdue offensive tackle Eric Miller said it was a time to unwind from the travel to Orlando and experience things bigger than the game of football.
“Sometimes we get caught up in the day-to-day of going to class, practice and workouts,” Miller said. “To be around some of those kids, who have all the excitement in the world, and to be chasing after them and have a great time, it kind of reminds us what this is all about. It was a lot of fun and a great experience.”
Added Purdue defensive tackle Lawrence Johnson: “I am a little older, so my youth years are past me, but it was fun to come out here and run around with the kids and just show them a great time.”
To view and save pool photos from Cheez-It Citrus Bowl Day for kids, see the gallery below. Any images used should be credited to Collin Thomas/Florida Citrus Sports.